We’ve been in Bath for almost a week now, much to the surprise of everyone we meet here. Usually, tourists come for only a day or so, but we have been very comfortably ensconced in a flat in the Royal Crescent, which is arranged through Rural Retreats.
Bath is a central location for all kinds of day trips and seems to be cathedral central. We have now seen Exeter, Salisbury, Wells and Bath Abbey. We plan to see Gloucester when we head to the Cotswolds in a day or two.
Bath Abbey is gorgeous. Though not technically a cathedral now, it is the only English church of such stature with a fan-vaulted ceiling throughout, and it is warm and welcoming. It was built in the Perpendicular Gothic style; its 52 windows comprise 80% of the wall space, accounting for the tremendously light and airy feeling.
The Pump Room and Roman Baths are located just outside the Abbey. Today, we had a lovely afternoon tea, for which the Pump Room is now renowned. The Pump Room also gave us an excellent dinner on our first night. The service is friendly and attentive, and the food is beautifully presented and delicious.
During the Regency Period, Bath was the place to “take the waters”, including imbibing a glass of warm mineral water from the fountain in the Pump Room. A hub of social activity eloquently described in Georgette Heyer’s novels Lady of Quality and Bath Tangle, it’s been a treat to retrace the footsteps of the characters in the books.
