Video streaming services like Acorn and BritBox made me want to experience the English countryside. But where to begin? Bath!
Bath is a charming little metropolis that dates back to 60 A.D., 113 miles from London, with the River Avon running through. There are more than 20 parks and green spaces among Palladian-style Georgian architecture. I think it’s my favorite city – stunningly beautiful, historic, walkable, with excellent hotels, shops and restaurants.
Novelist Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806 and lived just steps away from our hotel, The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, which is a backdrop for the Netflix Bridgerton series. Behold the breathtaking gardens, wildflowers and a cool breeze and you will want to walk around Bath until you get lost. Which we did, of course. Not every street in Bath is marked. But there is something interesting at every turn.
I highly recommend the Botanical Gardens within Royal Victoria Park. It’s only 9 acres and well worth the stroll. The Parade Gardens, situated downtown, overlooking the River Avon is another must-visit. And, it’s near Bath Abbey, founded in the 7th century and rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries. It remains an active place of worship, even today.
Bath’s Raison d’être
After you’ve made the trek through downtown, just a few feet away from Parade Gardens and the Abbey is the main attraction of this centuries-old iconic city – the Roman Baths! Wow. It is amazing how well preserved the baths are. The springs are still flowing and you can view the genius engineering up close.