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About Bath: What to see and do.
Why Learn English in Bath.
Bath
Bath is the only place in England where you can bathe in a natural spa water; the city is unique and elegant, with a lively city centre and many places to shop. Whether you are seeking relaxation or fun, Bath will provide you with both. It’s no wonder many students choose Bath as their home throughout college. With such a diverse offer, you will be able to have the best of both worlds – excitement and tranquillity.
According to a legend, the city was founded in 860 AD when King Lear’s father, Bladud, caught leprosy. He was banned from the throne and was forced to take care of pigs who also have a skin condition. One day, he noticed that the pigs bathed in mud which cured them, so he followed their example and managed to cure himself, as well. Afterwards, he founded the city of Bath.
In reality, Romans built the first temple and public baths around the year 50 AD. After the Romans left, Bath was a small but functioning community. At the beginning of the 11th century, a rebellion occurred and the city was burned to the ground, but managed to recover. During the next several centuries, in was a quiet town that depended on its springs and sick people coming to town looking for a cure. Although it has been devastated by plague and cholera several times, the city managed to get back on its feet. In the 18th century, the city became much more fashionable and started investing in accommodation for tourists. Structures have been built and they focused primarily on providing services for visitors. Today, it is still predominantly a tourist location with lots to see.
Sightseeing in Bath
The most famous attraction in Bath are The Roman Baths. The tour has a free audio guide and is very informative. You’ll get to hear the history of these baths and how they evolved throughout history. A definite must-see.
Bath Abbey is an impressive religious structure that’s worth the visit. The Abbey has splendid glass windows and is beautifully decorated inside. One of the most interesting things about it are the ladders of Angels. Oliver King, the bishop of Bath, is said to have had a dream about angels ascending and descending, which inspired the design. The view from the top of the church is definitely worth climbing 200 stairs.
No. 1 Royal Crescent is a Georgian house built in the 18th century. Inside, you’ll get to experience first-hand what it would be like to have lived in that period. The visit will be informative and entertaining.
Holburne Museum is situated in a picturesque location, with a lot of natural beauty surrounding it. The museum itself is interesting and they have a nice collection of artwork, the most famous paintings being the ones created by Gainsborough. The entrance is free, although you do have to pay a fee to see temporary exhibitions, such as The Caravaggio exhibition.
The American Museum is the only museum outside the US that features Native American art. It has a rather large collection and you will have the chance to learn quite a bit about Native Americans, American history and their traditions.
Other notable attractions include: Prior Park Landscape Gardens, Pulteney Bridge, Royal Victoria Park, Alexandra Park, Fashion Museum, Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Farleigh Hungerford Castle and The Jane Austen Centre.