DESTINATION:
Bath, Bristol & Wells
With its imposing country estates, opulent Georgian architecture and mystical spa waters, it is impossible to escape the charm and sense of history that imbues Bath and the surrounding area. Prized for its natural hot springs throughout the ages, from the Romans to the Georgians to the Victorians to the present day, a walk through Bath is a walk through time. The Roman Baths remain some of the best preserved examples of classical spas, the cobbled streets still bear the marks of the wear and tear of horse-drawn carriages whilst the Royal Crescent, The Circus and The Assembly Rooms are magnificent in their decadence.
Our tour will also include visits to the Cathedral city of Wells and the historic maritime city of Bristol.
Recommended duration - 4 nights/5 days
KEY VISITS (Recommended)
- ORIENTATION TOUR – a city tour by coach to include many sweeping panoramas of the city.
- THE CIRCUS – designed by John Wood the Elder, and built by his son over fifteen years, these magnificent houses are decorated with stone carvings and three orders of columns, to form a whole echoing the arena of a vast Roman amphitheatre.
- ASSEMBLY ROOMS – including the Ball Room or Octagon and the Tea Rooms. The Assembly Rooms were severely damaged during World War II but have since been restored to their former glory.
- THE FASHION MUSEUM – displays at the Museum change regularly but one constant is A History of Fashion in 100 Objects.
- NUMBER 1 ROYAL CRESCENT (Building of Bath Museum) – another original idea by John Wood the Elder, realised by his son it has been fully restored to show how a grand Bath townhouse of the late 18th century would have been furnished, including paintings, furniture, porcelain and glass from the period.
- HOLBURNE MUSEUM – Bath’s first public art gallery, this Grade I listed building is home to fine and decorative arts built around the collection of Sir William Holburne.
- ROMAN BATHS – built in the 1st century around the hot springs which, according to legend, were discovered by King Bladud in 860BC, the Baths are one of the best preserved Roman remains in the world.
- BATH ABBEY – an Anglican parish church with origins dating from the 7th century, the imposing gothic building is one of the major focal points of the city.
- THEATRE ROYAL – one of Britain’s oldest and most beautiful theatres.
- AMERICAN MUSEUM – housed in a neo-classical manor, dating back to the 1820s. Many of the period rooms are furnished with original American panelling and the Textile Room has a fine collection of quilts and fabrics.
As part of a 5 day programme we recommend a full day visit outside of Bath, and would suggest the following:
BRISTOL – located six miles inland from where the River Avon flows into the Severn Estuary, the city of Bristol has a rich maritime and industrial history that spans several centuries.
- ST MARY REDCLIFFE – an outstanding Gothic church, which Elizabeth I is said to have described as “the fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England”.
- BRISTOL OLD VIC – the oldest theatre in the country.
- CLIFTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE – designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel to span the Avon Gorge.
- SS GREAT BRITAIN – designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Steamship Company, it was the first ocean going ship to have an iron hull and when it was launched in 1843, was the largest vessel afloat.
- BRISTOL MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY – located in a Grade II listed building, the museum’s collection includes geology, Eastern Art and the history of Bristol including English delftware.
CITY OF WELLS – named after St Andrew’s Well, the sacred spring that bubbles up from the ground near the Bishop’s Palace. The smallest city in England and a quiet market town famous for its magnificent Cathedral.
- WELLS CATHEDRAL – famed for its unique architecture, it was the first Gothic Cathedral to be built in England.
- BISHOP’S PALACE – situated in the heart of the city in close proximity to the market place and Cathedral, the fortified moated Palace is the home of the Bishop of Bath and Wells and the centre of the diocese.
ALTERNATIVE VISITS
- LACOCK ABBEY (Wiltshire) – founded in 1232, the Abbey was converted into a fine country house circa 1540. The superb medieval cloisters, sacristy, chapter house and monastic rooms are largely intact and are complemented by the handsome 16th century stable courtyard with its half-timbered gables, clock house brewery and bake house.
- LACOCK VILLAGE – stunning and evocative with many lime washed half-timbered and stone houses, as well as a 14th century tithe barn. The abbey and village have been featured in many TV productions, including Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Moll Flanders and Harry Potter.
- CASTLE COMBE – granted the accolade of the ‘prettiest village in England’, where the ancient village houses are built in typical Cotswold style. It was, at one time, an important centre for the wool trade with the river, known as By Brook, providing the power needed for the mills.
- PETO GARDENS at IFORD MANOR ESTATE (Wiltshire) – unique and romantic, the garden is characterised by pools, terraces, sculpture, evergreen planting and magnificent rural views.
- AVEBURY MANOR and STONE CIRCLE (Wiltshire) – Avebury Stone Circle is one of Britain’s surviving Neolithic monuments and today the site consists of a very large circular bank and four entrances leading to an inner circle of upright stones. The Manor has recently been the subject of a major restoration project funded by the BBC.
- GREAT CHALFIELD MANOR and GARDEN (Holt, Wiltshire) – a beautiful 15th century building, boasting an Arts and Crafts Garden, and All Saints Parish Church, whose origins date from the early 14th century.
- WOODCHESTER MANSION (Nympsfield, Gloucestershire) – a unique and amazing Grade I listed Victorian Gothic house, an unfinished masterpiece blending local traditional work in limestone with the ideas of the French architectural thinker Viollet-le-Duc.
- BERKELEY CASTLE (Gloucestershire) – an excellent Norman fortress dating from the 12th century as one of the March Castles, built to keep out the Welsh, and the oldest building in the country to be inhabited by the same family who built it.
- STOURHEAD HOUSE AND GARDENS (Wiltshire) – the garden, with enchanting lakes and temples, rare trees and plants, is one of the most famous examples of the early 18th century English landscape movement. The house contains an outstanding library, magnificent picture gallery, fine furniture and works of art.
- TYNTESFIELD – acquired by the National Trust in 2002, the property is located to the south east of Bristol. Tyntesfield is a magnificent Victorian house, set amidst a vast estate including landscaped gardens and a private chapel. The Gothic Revival mansion house is architecturally flamboyant, with many towers and turrets, and is home to a fine collection of decorative arts.