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Bath England: A Walled City Steeped in History |
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©2001-2003 Judith A. Stock
Feeling the pressure of life lived in the stressful nanosecond of our technology age? Has the daily grind already left its imprint on your soul? Let Bath show you how to regain your balance and rejuvenate your spirit as your sense
of being overloaded, over-committed, and overwhelmed melts away. Come celebrate the splendor of ancient Roman civilization, the literary classics, and the quiet solitude of the tranquil landscape. Heed the siren song calling you
across the pond into the world of this walled city, an hour's ride from London's famous Paddington Station. Hugging the curves of the River Avon, nestled among the West Country hills, allow Bath's Georgian and Gothic
architecture, cobblestone streets lined with exquisite cathedrals, tasteful manor homes, and quaint shops that speak to another time, empower you and reveal life's slower pace. Atop a grand hill discover the Royal Crescent, an
architectural treasure with sweeping vistas of the townscape below. Thirty elegant townhouses of honey-colored stone in the Georgian tradition designed by John Wood in 1767, is today one of the most popular and opulent hotels in
Bath, the Royal Crescent Hotel. The springs and sacred Roman Baths date back 7,000 years when the Celtics worshipped the goddess Sulis. When the Roman legions occupied the city, the citizenry gathered around the 'watering hole,'
to drink the natural elixir, socialize and soak in the calming mineral waters of the Great Roman Baths. On your walk through history, the steamy waters reflect statuary, pillars and ancient artifacts but leave your bathing suit at
home. Bring with you a desire for tranquillity and inner peace. For a glorious ritual of fire and water that will renew your soul, join an escorted torchlit tour of the baths on any August evening. In the Pump Rooms be sure to grab
a glass of spring mineral water; the town's people swear to its rejuvenating properties. On second thought, you might want to stash a case in your luggage for the trip home. Bath Abbey, begun in 1499 and completed in 1606, built
in the Perpendicular (late-Gothic) style, can be seen from the terrace of the Roman Baths. Carved in stone, angels ascending ladders decorate the front of the Abby. In the interior, read the inscriptions on the tombs of the
romantic poets, bards, and kings etched in stone walls and floor. Dubbed a World Heritage Site in 1987, the breathtaking beauty of Bath is surrounded by other equally splendid examples of the heavenly English countryside
including the Cotswolds, Somerset and Wilshire. In the heart of the city literary Bath has come alive with the opening of the Jane Austen Center. Inside the center, the rich textures and classic beauty of literature will enrich
the tapestry of your life as you breathe in a deep sense of antiquity, inspiring you to your own great work. Don't miss an opportunity to visit Austen's home where the author wrote her historic masterpieces, Northanger Abby and
Persuasion. The Herschel Museum, 19 New King Street is the former 18th
century home of William Herschel and his sister Caroline. During this period Herschel emerged as a distinguished astronomer. With a handmade telescope, Herschel discovered the planet Uranus in 1781 and Caroline discovered eight comets. His knowledge of astronomy and his discovery helped to increase our understanding of the size of the solar system that helped to ease us toward space exploration.
Want an elevated sense of this imposing city? Climb the splendid spiral staircase at Beckford's Tower and cast your gaze over hill and dale, Bath and gather a new viewpoint on your life. Beckford used the tower to retreat from
the city and a storehouse for his beloved art and rare book collections. Famous for writing the first Oriental-Gothic horror novel in English literature, the wealthy eccentric William Beckford is entombed in the Victorian Cemetery
at the foot of the tower. After trotting around town, unwind with a spot of tea or a pint of good old English ale. Genteel afternoon tea is served in The Pump Room, in front of the Abby, accompanied by chamber music, amid giant
potted palms. Or, if you want to toss back a couple of pints, don't miss the pub scene. Never mind that tourists have also discovered the pubs, it is still possible to find pubs where locals chat and swig a good pint or two. Stop
in at The Crystal Place, just steps south of the Abbey. Another good bet is The Star Inn at the north end of the Paragon. An original, the old wooden paneling, the décor, and the pub name painted on the wall outside haven't changed
since Victorian times. Allow the waters of Bath to purified and empower spiritual being, immerse yourself in ancient history, interact with the soul provoking art and architecture, the literary classics and all things Bath, and
then return to your life with a restored perspective and a new inter-directed path. Find your own true self in Bath, England |
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Photos by Judith Stock |
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Originally published on My Prime Time.com Reprint Kafenio.com |
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For more photos of England, visit our friends at www.picturesofengland.com |
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