Day Trip: Bath

I'm usually pretty disciplined about making myself get out and see London on my free evenings during business trips. But I had a rare opportunity on Saturday - a whole free day! So rather than revisiting some of the sights I have already seen, I decided to go on a day trip to Bath.

Bath is a 90 minute train ride from London. In the morning, I headed to Borough Market in London to pick up some necessities for the journey... coffee, a steak and ale pie to eat on the way and a copy of Sense and Sensibility, by one of Bath's most celebrated residents, Jane Austen. I also made a quick stop at Saint Paul's since it was on the way, and by 11am I was on the train to Bath.

Mmmm, a personal size steak and ale pie...

I arrived fueled up and ready to hit the ground running. First stop was the beautiful Bath Abbey followed by the Roman Baths. The Roman Baths are the most complete excavation of their kind. Not only is the main pool fully excavated, but the temple and sacred thermal spring which feeds the baths, the antechambers, plunge pools surrounding the main pool, and the drains and plumbing are also excavated and actually functional.

Roman Baths with Bath Abbey in the background

Next, I took a walk around the shopping area downtown, relaxed in the parade grounds and then joined a late afternoon walking tour which visited the more Georgian highlights of the town.

Pulteney Bridge over the River Avon

The Royal Crescent, a very posh place to live in Austen's time and now

An average street around town - simply gorgeous!

Evening in Bath was really the best. I stayed until after the tourists mostly left, writing my postcards while enjoying a glass of wine and dinner. I left on an 8.45 train when night life seemed to be warming up. One day in Bath was just not enough. There was so much to do and see that next time I will have to stay overnight and include time at the new spa which, like the roman one, is fed by the thermal springs.