"Aquae Sulis" Bath by Balam

Bath Travel Guide: 910 reviews and 1,998 photos

Early History

The city of Bath was first established by the Romans in AD 43 as a spa resort with the Latin name, Aquae Sulis or 'the waters of Sulis' although it is Known that the springs treated as a shrine by the Celt who dedicated it to the goddess Sulis and many religious items or offerings have been found, although it was probably more of a sacred site that would have had no buildings.
The Romans built the baths with a temple around hot springs but although the Romans identified the Goddess Sulis with their goddess Minerva the name of Sulis continued to be used for the spring.
The Roman Town grew over the next 300 years becoming a major city of great importance that was known throughout the Roman Empire

Legends say that Bath may well have been the site for the Battle of Mons Badonicus in around 500 AD when it is said King Arthur defeated the Saxons. In 577 AD The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle's states that Bath fell to the West Saxons after the Battle of Deorham.
In 675 King Osric of the Hwicce set up a monastic house at Bath probably using the walled area around the Baths as its precinct. When King Offa of Mercia gained control of this monastery in 781 he rebuilt the church.

Medieval Bath

Abbey

By the 9th century the town had changed much with the old Roman street pattern being lost and it had become a Royal Possession and King Alfred had the town rebuilt but left the south eastern section as the abbey precinct, Later Edgar was crowned king of England in Bath Abbey in 973
After the Norman Invasion of 1066 new baths were built around the three springs.

By the 15th century the abbey church had fallen into a state of disrepair and 1n 1500 the then Bishop of Bath decided to rebuild it but on a smaller scale.
Sadly the new church was completed just a few years before the monastery was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539 and the abbey church again fell into a state of disrepair until it was restored as the city's parish church in the Elizabethan period, when the city started to become popular as a spa once again.
Bath was granted city status by a Royal Charter given by Queen Elizabeth I in 1590.

The Modern Bath

By 1801 the population had reached 40,020 making it one of the largest cities in Britain

It was made into its own county borough in 1889 making it administratively independent from its then county which was Somerset.
When the County of Avon was created in 1974 bath was Added to it but it only stayed a part of Avon until 1996 when Avon was abolished and Bath became the principal centre of North East Somerset.

In 1987 the city was selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Last visit to Bath: Feb 2010
Intro Updated Feb 17, 2010
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (13)

Baths Oldest! Restaurants (4)

The Saracens head is a great pub where One hundred and fifty years ago . It is said to be the Oldest pub in Bath it was... more travel advice

Good Location Hotels (1)

The Abbey Hotel is convieniantly located close to all of the city's main attractions with Sally Lunns House, the Abbey... more travel advice

Lots of great Places Restaurants (4)

As you would expect there are a lot of places to eat in Bath and you will be spoilt for choice. The link below is for a... more travel advice

Bar & Grill Restaurants (4)

The Bar and restaurant at The Abbey Hotel are open to the public everyday for Meals, snacks and Afternoon teas. I have... more travel advice

Things to Do (7)
See All Ghost Walk

Tourist Traps (1)
The Roman Baths

Comments (3)

Reply
- Report abuse
MD2nd Apr 23, 2013 at 7:16 AM

Great pictures of impressive buildings. Thanks.
Reply
- Report abuse
Balam Feb 8, 2012 at 12:26 PM

my off the beaten track tip has vanished!! :(
Reply
- Report abuse
Myfanwe Mar 3, 2010 at 12:09 PM

Great new page, I could just eat another one of those fresh Sally Lunn buns lol xx