"City of Honey Coloured Stone" Bath by tvor

The first time i was in Bath was in 1993, a few hours to see a little of the city as a stop on a bus tour. Other than the orientation drive around the city, I didn't see much more of Bath, other than some of the shopping areas but i always wanted to go back when i had more time.

In 2003, I had a couple of days free between a visit to Cardiff and a weekend in London so I decided to go to Bath to explore a bit. Unfortunately by the time i arrived in Bath I was becoming sick with a bronchial infection. I wasn't so sick that i didn't manage to keep moving and see some of the sights, living on paracetemol and cough medicine but I sure had a couple of rough nights.

Still, i did see some of the main attractions of Bath and there are a lot of things to see and do there. Bath is a very old city, with remnants from the Roman times but it fell into disrepair and wasn't revived until the 18th Century during Georgian times. It was renewed and rebuilt and turned into THE society place to see and be seen. Most of the city that stands now is from that era or newer.

2011 - We are planning an overnight stay in Bath this year in May. It won't be enough time to see a lot but we do plan on making a visit to the Baths and Abbey and have a good look around the city centre. When last there in 2003, when i stayed at the Edgar hotel, I was not feeling well and though did get around to see some things, I really needed to get back and get a proper look. Expect updates and more pictures! We have booked the Holiday Inn Express just outside the city centre but with good bus transportation into town.

Most of the rebuilt Bath uses the honey coloured Bath Stone, and was architecturally designed by John Wood the Elder and Younger, financed by Richard "Beau" Nash and Ralf Allen who bought the quarry and sold the stone to the builders. The Society Era centered around the restored Roman Baths where the waters were reputed to be therapeutic. Wide streets and high sidewalks were built, concert halls, theatres and Assembly Rooms erected. The newly revived Bath catered to society tourists, just as tourism is it's main draw now.

Bath is elegant, historic, and chock full of tourists. I visited there the week before Easter, 2003 and even then it was quite busy. I do believe that was a week during the school holidays but even so, i cannot imagine what it must be like in high tourist season in the summer. I think i would avoid Bath at those times. It was busy when i was there, mid week on a couple of hot sunny days, but not so busy that it was claustrophobic. I would probably go back but it would still have to be off-season, early spring or mid to late fall or even winter.

Overall though, it's a lovely city that does deserve to be seen at least once. There are rail and bus connections for transport to and from, both of which i took.

• Pros:Elegant, lots to see and do
• Cons:very touristy and busy
• In a nutshell:A Georgian revived city with wonderful architecture and important historic Roman Baths