The River Avon and the beautiful Bath
So once again I will blame the reason for visiting this particular location on Jane Austin. Having heard about the place in her novels and also since she lived a good portion of her life here, I needed to come to check it out. Over and above that, Pam’s husband, Steve (aka Colin Firth) is from Bath, so the place had recently been triggered in my head once again. Top that off with the fact that it is now a World Unesco Site – how many of these have I been to now??? And I am glad I came, albeit it was a very quick zoom through and pouring rain the whole time. But I soldiered forth and investigated the spectacular Roman Baths.
One of so many photos I took. The main bath of the Roman Baths - built in 1st century AD
The Roman Baths at Bath is the best-preserved ancient baths and temple complex in northern Europe. This is the location of the only thermal springs in the UK where health and vitality has been promoted for centuries. If you tour the Baths you can see in situ remains of the complex including the well-preserved bath-house frequented by residents and pilgrims nearly 2000 years ago.
The entrance to the Baths at Bath
I was really impressed and amazed by the exceptional presentation and the multi-media exhibits that really helped you feel what it was like to be there 2000 years ago. Costumed actors, digital and holographic characters, digital displays and audio guides were exceptional. I also really liked the fact that Bill Bryson, the author, was part of the audio guide tour. His comments were really good.
A model of what the Bath Temple complex would have looked like way back when
In Bryson’s words, so much of the tour was “evocative”. You could just imagine being there long ago. And as he says, the Romans had it right. After a day of work they would come here and socialize, bathe, get a massage and a good cleaning and relax in the healing environment of hot mineral water and camaraderie. We seem to have forgotten the importance of this. Maybe they did not live as long back then but while they lived, the knew HOW to live. In today’s world, we may live longer but the time flies by so fast as we are busy running in the rat race that few seldom even get to enjoy a portion of their lives. So how is this better?
Holographic images projected on the wall in the cold pool as if they were actually there.
I was telling my friend this perspective yesterday and he did point out that only “some” of the Romans would get to enjoy the baths. Of course slaves had to serve their needs and that was the only experience they had of the baths and surely the lower castes of society were not permitted in as well. So that did make me pause for reflection. However, you still have to be in awe of the place.
Actors playing the parts for the Baths.
After the Baths I was in search for the Jane Austen centre. I did find it and I was curious but because I didn’t feel like paying yet another entry fee, I just looked around the store. Of course Jane Austen spent much of her life here and Bath figures in a number of her novels. So after that I headed up to Regency Crescent which is well known and took a tour of a refurbished Georgian house.
The famed curved houses of Regency Crescent
Typical terraced houses of Bath
It was quite interesting to realize that even though the wealthy came here in the 1700s to hang out when they were bored in the winter, being wealthy did not mean being clean. Given that there was no running water then, they did not bath very frequently and covered up their smell and dirt with heavy makeup. Lots of women apparently died of lead poisoning due to the heavy make up they wore daily. Isn’t it funny that they didn’t bathe in Bath? I said to the lady at the museum that it must not have been a pretty site to have two people in bed together given their lack of hygiene and all that make-up piled on day after day. She laughed and then said “well we must keep this clean so we had better not go there!” Now that is funny.
The spectacular abbey at night
I also visited the very beautiful abbey. Everything in this town was so lovely and consistent in its presence and style. With the lovely river running through the town and the hilly countryside surrounding it, it is definitely a place worth visiting. I can understand its draw from centuries ago.
About town in Bath
It is ironic that the people of Bath did not take baths that often. You’d figure they would be the first to invent running water….By the way, don’t forget that in those days, they would also wear wigs and use lots of perfume.
Anyhow, thanks for the tour of Bath. I’ve always wanted to go there.
One question, please….did you buy anything at the Jane Austen store?
Nope – no Jane Austen purchases. I already have all her books.
If I may ask: what were they selling at the store besides books? I betcha they had bookmarks for sale, right?
Well bookmarks would make sense – wouldn’t they. Yes I believe they did have them. Also had little bits of the Wall.
Bout time you had a bath, lol. xxx
I know – I was getting stinky!!
So, why didn’t you buy yourself a bookmark for one of your many Jane Austen books? Bookmarks don’t cost much, they don’t break and best of all, they are easily stored. 🙂
Just didn’t think of it – but you have a point.
The wealthy must have bathed in Bath with all the baths they had there.. Although I doubt they would have soap!!!
Apparently not that many in those days.