Only a few miles from Bristol lies the extraordinary city of Bath. In a country full of spectacular architecture and rich historical sites, Bath is really special. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with gorgeous 18th and 19th c. stone architecture.
The takes its name from the exquisite Roman baths which are the best-preserved natural hot-springs from Roman times (the Romans called it Aquae Sulis) and still a very popular spa. Actually there was much more to Aquae Sulis than just the baths, impressive as they are (there are sauna rooms and multiple pools of different temperatures, etc.). There was a temple, for example, and the excellent museum, much of it underground, displays and interprets Roman artefacts
I love when museums have exhibits that invite you to touch!
The Roman engineering that went into the construction of this place was incredible. The heating and drainage systems alone were ingenious.
There were some signs indicating that you should not touch this steaming, green-blue water, but how could we resist dipping in a finger? At the end of the tour, we were invited to taste the water, touted in by-gone days for its medicinal properties. The boys said it tasted like "warm, salty hot dog water".
Next to the Roman baths is Bath Abbey, a beautiful gothic church with fluted columns and a lace-like sculptured ceiling.
And as if Bath wasn't amazing enough, later the same day we drove to Stonehenge north of Salisbury. Stonehenge is around 5000 years old, a mystery in every respect -- why it was built, how it was constructed, etc. We've seen pictures of this stone circle all our lives, but it really is incredible to see it for yourself in person. Astonishing.
A picture-perfect day.
Great photos! Sounds like a wonderful half term break.
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