Bath, Somerset 41523 226163311 2008-07-17T02:52:47Z 81.104.204.51 /* External links */ {{infobox UK place| |country = England |official_name=Bath | static_image= [[Image:Royal.crescent.aerial.bath.arp.jpg|240px]] | static_image_caption = <small>The [[Royal Crescent]] in Bath</small> |population= 80,000 |latitude= 51.3809 |longitude= -2.3603 |unitary_england= [[Bath and North East Somerset]] |region= South West England |lieutenancy_england= [[Somerset]] |constituency_westminster= [[Bath (UK Parliament constituency)|Bath]] |post_town= BATH |postcode_area= BA |postcode_district=BA1, BA2 |dial_code= 01225 |os_grid_reference= ST745645 |london_distance= {{convert|99|mi|km|0}} [[Boxing the compass|E]] }} '''Bath''' is a [[city status in the United Kingdom|city]] in [[Somerset]] in the [[South West England|south west]] of [[England]]. It is situated {{convert|99|mi|km|0}} west of [[London]] and {{convert|13|mi|km|0}} south-east of [[Bristol]]. The [[population]] of the city is about 80,000.<ref name=citypop>{{cite web | url= http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/environmentandplanning/planning/localplans/BathLocalPlan.htm | title= Bath Local Plan | work= Bath &amp; North East Somerset Council | accessdate= 2007-12-07}}</ref> It was granted [[List of cities in the United Kingdom|city status]] by [[Royal Charter]] by Queen [[Elizabeth I]] in 1590,<ref name = "bath_insignia">{{cite web |url=http://www.thecityofbath.co.uk/civic_insignia.htm |title=Civic Insignia |accessdate=2007-12-10 |work=City of Bath }}</ref> and was made a [[county borough]] in 1889 which gave it [[Administrative counties of England|administrative]] independence from its county, [[Somerset]]. The city became part of [[Avon (county)|Avon]] when that [[non-metropolitan county|county]] was created in 1974. Since 1996, when Avon was abolished, Bath has been the principal centre of the [[unitary authority]] of [[Bath and North East Somerset]] (B&NES), a part of the wider Somerset [[ceremonial county|county]]. The city was founded, among surrounding hills, in the valley of the [[River Avon, Bristol|River Avon]] around [[UK Geothermal Springs|naturally-occurring hot springs]] where the [[Roman Britain|Romans]] built [[Roman Baths (Bath)|baths]] and a temple,<ref name="worldheritageplan"/> giving it the name [[Aquae Sulis]]. [[Edgar of England|Edgar]] was crowned king of England at [[Bath Abbey]] in 973.<ref name="Edgar"/> Much later, it became popular as a spa resort during the [[Georgian era]], which led to a major expansion that left a heritage of exemplary [[Georgian architecture]] crafted from [[Bath Stone]]. The city became a [[World Heritage Site]] in 1987, and has a variety of theatres, museums, and other cultural and sporting venues, which have helped to make it a major centre for tourism, with over one&nbsp;million staying visitors and 3.8&nbsp;million day visitors to the city each year.<ref name="jobs"/> The city has two universities and several schools and colleges. There is a large service sector and growing information and communication technologies and creative industries, providing employment for the population of Bath and the surrounding area. == History == === Celtic and Roman === [[Image:Roman Baths in Bath Spa, England - July 2006.jpg|thumb|The Great Bath at the [[Roman Baths (Bath)|Roman Baths]]. The entire structure above the level of the pillar bases is a later reconstruction.]] {{main|Aquae Sulis}} Archaeological evidence shows that the site of the [[Roman Baths (Bath)|Roman Baths]]' main spring was treated as a shrine by the [[Celt]]s,<ref name="somersettourguide">{{cite web |url=http://www.somersettouristguide.com/Bath/The_Roman_Baths_722.asp |title=The Roman Baths |accessdate=2007-11-01|work=Somerset Tourist Guide }}</ref> and was dedicated to the goddess [[Sulis]], whom the [[Roman mythology|Roman]]s identified with [[Minerva]]; however, the name Sulis continued to be used after the Roman invasion, leading to the town's [[List of Roman place names in Britain|Roman name]] of ''Aquae Sulis'' (literally, "the waters of Sulis"). Messages to her scratched onto metal, known as [[curse tablets]], have been recovered from the Sacred Spring by archaeologists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csad.ox.ac.uk/RIB/RIBIV/jp4.htm |title= A Corpus of Writing-Tablets from Roman Britain |accessdate=2007-12-08|work=Centre for the Study of Ancient Documents, Oxford }}</ref> These curse tablets were written in [[Latin]], and usually laid curses on people by whom the writer felt they had been wronged. For example, if a citizen had his clothes stolen at the baths, he would write a curse, naming the suspects, on a tablet to be read by the Goddess Sulis Minerva. The temple was constructed in 60&ndash;70&nbsp;AD and the bathing complex was gradually built up over the next 300&nbsp;years.<ref name="worldheritageplan">{{cite web |url=http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/worldheritage/2.3Des.htm |title=City of Bath World Heritage Site Management Plan |accessdate=2007-11-01|work=Bath and North East Somerset }}</ref> During the [[Roman Britain|Roman occupation of Britain]], and possibly on the instructions of [[Emperor Claudius]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.plumbingworld.com/historyroman.html |title=The History of Plumbing - Roman and English Legacy |accessdate=2007-11-01 |work=Plumbing World }}</ref> engineers drove oak piles into the mud to provide a stable foundation and surrounded the spring with an irregular stone chamber lined with [[lead]]. In the 2nd century, the spring was enclosed within a wooden [[Barrel vault|barrel-vaulted]] building,<ref name="somersettourguide"/> which housed the [[calidarium]] (hot bath), [[tepidarium]] (warm bath), and [[frigidarium]] (cold bath).<ref name="timetravel">{{cite web |url=http://www.timetravel-britain.com/05/April/romanbaths.shtml |title=The Roman Baths |accessdate=2007-11-01 |work=TimeTravel Britain }}</ref> The city was given defensive walls, probably in the 3rd century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buildinghistory.org/bath/saxon/alfredsborough.htm |title=Alfreds Borough |accessdate=2007-12-12 |work=Bath Past }}</ref> After the Roman withdrawal in the first decade of the 5th century, the baths fell into disrepair and were eventually lost due to silting up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.birminghamuk.com/romanbaths.htm |title=The Roman Baths |accessdate=2007-11-01 |work=BirminghamUk.com }}</ref> === Post-Roman and Saxon === [[Image:Sm 101, Nöbbelesholm.JPG|thumb|100px|right|The [[England Runestones#Sm 101|Nävelsjö runestone]] commemorating a Viking who died in Bath.]] Bath may have been the site of the [[Battle of Mons Badonicus]] (c. 500&nbsp;AD), where [[King Arthur]] is said to have defeated the [[Saxon people|Saxons]], although this is disputed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buildinghistory.org/bath/saxon/dobunni.htm#Gildas |title=Dobunni to Hwicce |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=Bath past }}</ref> [[The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]] mentions Bath falling to the [[Wessex|West Saxons]] in 577 after the [[Battle of Deorham]].<ref name="myeng">{{cite web |url=http://www.myenglandtravel.com/history-of-bath-england.html |title=History of bath england, roman bath history |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=My England Travel Guide }}</ref> The [[Anglo-Saxons]] called the town Baðum, Baðan or Baðon, meaning "at the baths," and this was the source of the present name.<ref name="myeng"/> In 675, [[Osric of the Hwicce|Osric]], King of the [[Hwicce]], set up a monastic house at Bath, probably using the walled area as its precinct.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timetravel-britain.com/05/April/bathtime.shtml |title=Timeline Bath |accessdate=2007-12-10 |work=Time Travel Britain }}</ref> [[Offa of Mercia|King Offa]] of [[Mercia]] gained control of this monastery in 781 and rebuilt the church, which was dedicated to [[St. Peter]].<ref name="Poliquin">{{cite web|title=Bath Abbey|url=http://www.uquebec.ca/musique/orgues/angleterre/batha.html#English | work=Robert Poliquin's Music and Musicians| publisher=Quebec University | accessdate=2007-09-18}}</ref> By the 9th century the old Roman street pattern had been lost and Bath had become a royal possession, with [[Alfred the Great|King Alfred]] laying out the town afresh, leaving its south-eastern quadrant as the abbey precinct.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buildinghistory.org/bath/saxon/alfredsborough.htm |title=Alfreds Borough |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=Bath Past }}</ref> [[Edgar of England]] was crowned king of England in Bath Abbey in 973.<ref name="Edgar">{{cite web |url=http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/saxon_12.htm |title=Edgar the Peaceful |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=English Monarchs &ndash; Kings and Queens of England }}</ref> === Norman, Medieval and Tudor === [[Image:Bath Abbey From Roman Baths Gallery.JPG|thumb|left|Bath Abbey From The Roman Baths Gallery]] King [[William Rufus]] granted the city to a royal physician, [[John of Tours]], who became Bishop of [[Wells]] and Abbot of Bath in 1088.<ref name="Powicke">{{cite book | last= Powicke | first= Maurice | authorlink= F. M. Powicke | year= 1939 | title= Handbook of British Chronology | isbn= 0901050172}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last= Barlow | first= Frank | authorlink = Frank Barlow (historian)| title= William Rufus | pages= pp.182 | publisher= Yale University Press | date= March 2000 | isbn= 0300082916}}</ref> It was papal policy for bishops to move to more urban seats, and he translated his own from Wells to Bath.<ref name=Huscroft128>Huscroft ''Ruling England'' p. 128</ref> He planned and began a much larger church as his cathedral, to which was attached a priory, with the bishop's palace beside it.<ref name="Powicke"/> New baths were built around the three springs. However, later bishops returned the episcopal seat to Wells, while retaining the name of Bath in their title as the [[Bishop of Bath and Wells]]. By the 15th century, Bath's abbey church was badly dilapidated and in need of repairs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://visitbath.co.uk/site/things_to_do/p_24001 |title=Bath Abbey |accessdate=2007-12-10 |work=Visit Bath }}</ref> [[Oliver King]], Bishop of Bath and Wells, decided in 1500 to rebuild it on a smaller scale. The new church was completed just a few years before Bath Priory was [[Dissolution of the Monasteries|dissolved]] in 1539 by [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecityofbath.co.uk/renaissance_bath.htm |title=Renaissance Bath |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=City of Bath }}</ref> The abbey church was allowed to become derelict before being restored as the city's parish church in the [[Elizabethan period]], when the city experienced a revival as a [[spa]]. The [[Roman Baths (Bath)|baths]] were improved and the city began to attract the aristocracy. Bath was granted [[List of cities in the United Kingdom|city status]] by [[Royal Charter]] by Queen [[Elizabeth I]] in 1590.<ref name = "bath_insignia"/> === Early modern === [[Image:the.circus.bath.arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[The Circus (Bath)|The Circus]]]] During the [[English Civil War]], the [[Battle of Lansdowne]] was fought on [[5 July]] [[1643]] on the northern outskirts of the city.<ref>{{cite book |title=Battles and Generals of the Civil Wars |last=Rodgers |first= Colonel H.C.B.|year=1968 |publisher=Seeley Service & Co. |isbn= }}</ref> [[Thomas Guidott]], who had been a student of chemistry and medicine at [[Wadham College]] [[Oxford]], moved to Bath and set up practice in 1668. He became interested in the curative properties of the waters and he wrote ''A discourse of Bathe, and the hot waters there. Also, Some Enquiries into the Nature of the water'' in 1676. This brought the health-giving properties of the hot mineral waters to the attention of the country and soon the aristocracy started to arrive to partake in them.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Burns |first=D. Thorburn |title=Thomas Guidott (1638–1705): Physician and Chymist, contributor to the analysis of mineral waters |journal= Analytical Proceedings including Analytical Communications: Royal Society of Chemistry |volume=18 |pages=2–6 |doi=10.1039/AP9811800002 |url=http://www.rsc.org/publishing/journals/article.asp?doi=AP9811800002 |accessdate= 2007-12-10 |quote= |year=1981 }}</ref> [[Image:BathRoyalCrescentAirial.morecontrast.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Royal Crescent]] from the air: Georgian taste favoured the regularity of Bath's streets and squares and the contrast with adjacent rural nature.]] Several areas of the city underwent development during the [[House of Stuart|Stuart]] period, and this increased during [[Georgian period|Georgian]] times in response to the increasing number of visitors to the spa and resort town who required accommodation.<ref>{{cite book |title=The English Spa, 1560-1815: A Social History |last=Hembury |first=Phylis May |year=1990 |publisher=Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press |isbn=0838633919 }}</ref> The architects [[John Wood the Elder|John Wood the elder]] and his son [[John Wood, the Younger|John Wood the younger]] laid out the new quarters in streets and squares, the identical façades of which gave an impression of palatial scale and classical decorum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bathmuseum.co.uk/biography.htm |title=John Wood and the Creation of Georgian Bath |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=Building of Bath Museum }}</ref> Much of the creamy gold [[Bath stone]] which was used for construction throughout the city, was obtained from the [[limestone]] [[Combe Down and Bathampton Down Mines]], which were owned by [[Ralph Allen]] (1694–1764).<ref name="rabiog">{{cite web |url=http://www.bathpostalmuseum.co.uk/explore/biographies/ralphallen.html |title=Ralph Allen Biography |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=Bath Postal Museum }}</ref> Allen, in order to advertise the quality of his quarried limestone, commissioned the elder John Wood to build him a country house on his [[Prior Park]] estate between the city and the mines.<ref name="rabiog"/> He was also responsible for improving and expanding the postal service in western England, for which he held the contract for over forty years.<ref name="rabiog"/> Though not fond of politics, Allen was a civic-minded man, and served as a member of the Bath Corporation for many years. He was elected Mayor of the city for a single term, in 1742, at age 50.<ref name="rabiog"/> The early 18th century saw Bath acquire its first purpose-built theatre, the [[Theatre Royal, Bath|Theatre Royal]], along with the pump room attached to the Roman Baths and [[Bath Assembly Rooms|assembly rooms]]. [[Master of Ceremonies]] [[Beau Nash]], who presided over the city's social life from 1705 until his death in 1761, drew up a code of behaviour for public entertainments.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Imaginary Autocrat: Beau Nash and the invention of Bath |last=Eglin |first=John |year=2005 |publisher=Profile |isbn=1861973020 }}</ref> === Late modern === The population of the city had reached 40,020 by the time of the 1801 census, making it one of the largest cities in Britain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit_page.jsp?u_id=10167607 |title=A vision of Bath |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=Britain through time }}</ref> [[William Thomas Beckford]] bought a house in [[Lansdown Crescent, Bath|Lansdown Crescent]] in 1822, eventually buying a further two houses in the crescent to form his residence. Having acquired all the land between his home and the top of [[Lansdown Hill]], he created a garden over half a mile in length and built [[Beckford's Tower]] at the top.<ref>{{cite web | title=Beckford's Tower & Mortuary Chapel, Lansdown Cemetery | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442844| accessdate=2007-10-02}}</ref> Emperor [[Haile Selassie I]] of [[Ethiopia]] spent the four years of his exile, from 1936 to 1940, at [[Fairfield House]] in Bath.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://anglo-ethiopian.org/publications/articles.php?type=O&reference=publications/occasionalpapers/papers/haileselassiebath.php |title= The Emperor Haile Selassie I in Bath 1936 - 1940 |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=Anglo-Ethiopian Society }}</ref> During [[World War II]], between the evening of [[25 April]] and the early morning of [[27 April]] [[1942]], Bath suffered three air raids in reprisal for [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] raids on the [[Germany|German]] cities of [[Lübeck]] and [[Rostock]], part of the [[Luftwaffe]] campaign popularly known as the [[Baedeker Blitz]]. Over 400 people were killed, and more than 19,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalcrescentbath.com/HistoryBathatWar.htm |title=History - Bath at War |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Royal Crescent Society, Bath }}</ref> Houses in the [[Royal Crescent]], [[The Circus (Bath)|Circus]] and [[Paragon]] were burnt out along with the Assembly Rooms, while the south side of [[Queen Square (Bath)|Queen Square]] was destroyed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalcrescentbath.com/HistoryRoyalCrescent%202.htm |title=Royal Crescent History: The Day Bombs fell on Bath |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Royal Crescent Society, Bath }}</ref> All have since been reconstructed, and regeneration work is continuing. Since 2000, developments have included the [[Thermae Bath Spa|Bath Spa]], Southgate and the Bath Western Riverside project.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southgatebath.com |title=South Gate Bath |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=Morley }}</ref> == Governance == [[Image:Coat of Arms - City of Bath.jpg|thumb|left|140px|Coat of arms of the City of Bath]] [[Historic counties of England|Historically]] part of the county of [[Somerset]], Bath was made a [[county borough]] in 1889 and hence independent of the newly created [[Administrative counties of England|administrative]] Somerset [[county council]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Keane |first=Patrick |title=An English County and Education: Somerset, 1889-1902 |journal=The English Historical Review |volume=88 |issue=347 |pages=286–311 |accessdate= 2007-12-09 |quote= |doi=10.1039/AP9811800002 |year=1981 }}</ref> Bath became part of [[Avon (county)|Avon]] when that [[non-metropolitan county]] was created in 1974. Since the abolition of Avon in 1996, Bath has been the main centre of the [[unitary authority]] of [[Bath and North East Somerset]] (B&NES).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19950493_en_1.htm |title=The Avon (Structural Change) Order 1995 |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=HMSO }}</ref> Bath remains, however, in the [[ceremonial county]] of Somerset. The City of Bath's ceremonial functions, including the [[Mayors in the United Kingdom|mayoralty]] – which can be traced back to 1230 – and control of the [[coat of arms]], are now maintained by the ''[[Charter Trustees]] of the City of Bath''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecityofbath.co.uk/the_history_of_the_mayoralty.htm |title= The History of the Mayoralty |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=City of Bath }}</ref> The coat of arms includes two silver strips, which represent the [[River Avon, Bristol|River Avon]] and the hot springs. The sword of [[Paul of Tarsus|St. Paul]] is a link to [[Bath Abbey]]. The supporters, a [[lion]] and a [[bear]], stand on a bed of [[acorn]]s, a link to [[Bladud]], the subject of the Legend of Bath. The knight's helmet indicates a municipality and the [[Crown (headgear)|crown]] is that of [[Edgar of England|King Edgar]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Arms of The City of Bath | work=The City of Bath | url=http://www.thecityofbath.co.uk/coat_of_arms.htm | accessdate=2006-11-15}}</ref> Before the [[Reform Act 1832]] Bath elected two members to the [[unreformed House of Commons]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.election.demon.co.uk/prereform.html |title=Parliamentary Constituencies in the unreformed House |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=United Kingdom Election Results }}</ref> Bath now has a single [[Bath (UK Parliament constituency)|parliamentary constituency]], with [[Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrat]] [[Donald Foster (politician)|Don Foster]] as [[Member of Parliament]]. His election was a notable result of the [[United Kingdom general election, 1992|1992 general election]], as [[Chris Patten]], the previous Member (and a [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|Cabinet Minister]]) played a major part, as [[Chairman of the Conservative Party]], in getting the government of [[John Major]] re-elected, but failed to defend his marginal seat in Bath. Don Foster has been re-elected as the MP for Bath in every election since. His majority was significantly reduced from over 9,000 in both the 1997 and 2001 general elections to 4,638 in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bath constituency|publisher=Guardian Unlimited|url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/hoc/constituency/0,,-694,00.html|accessdate=2007-03-18}}</ref> The [[electoral ward]]s of the [[Bath and North East Somerset]] unitary authority within Bath are: *Abbey, [[Bathwick]], [[Combe Down]], Kingsmead, Lambridge, [[Lansdown, Bath|Lansdown]], Lyncombe, [[Newbridge, Bath|Newbridge]], Odd Down, Oldfield, Southdown, [[Twerton]], [[Walcot, Bath|Walcot]], Westmoreland, [[Weston, Bath|Weston]] and Widcombe. == Geography == === Physical geography === Bath is at the bottom of the Avon Valley, and near the southern edge of the [[Cotswolds]], a range of [[limestone]] hills designated as an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]]. The hills that surround and make up the city have a maximum altitude of {{convert|780|ft|m|0}} on the [[Lansdown, Somerset|Lansdown]] plateau. It has an area of {{convert|11|sqmi|km2|0}}.<ref>[http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/NR/exeres/B61CB11D-A16B-4D09-A7E6-AA4AEE6C1059,frameless.htm?NRMODE=Published Contaminated Land Inspection of the area surrounding Bath]</ref> [[Image:Clevelandhouse.JPG|thumb|right|Cleveland House and the cast iron bridges of Sydney Gardens over the [[Kennet and Avon Canal]]]] The surrounding hills give Bath its steep streets and make its buildings appear to climb the slopes. The [[flood plain]] of the River Avon, which runs through the centre of the city, here has an altitude of {{convert|56|ft|m|1}}. The river, once an unnavigable series of [[braided stream]]s broken up by [[swamp]]s and [[pond]]s, has been managed by [[weir]]s into a single channel.<ref>{{cite web | title=Navigation of the river Avon | work=Bristol History.com | url=http://weldgen.tripod.com/bristol-history-com/id2.html | accessdate=2006-09-22}}</ref> Nevertheless, periodic flooding, which shortened the life of many buildings in the lowest part of the city, was normal until major flood control works in the 1970s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/ea_bath_2004_752013.pdf |format=PDF| title=Bath flood defence scheme |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Environment Agency }}</ref> The water which bubbles up from the ground, as [[UK Geothermal Springs|geothermal springs]], fell as rain on the [[Mendip Hills]]. It percolates down through limestone aquifers to a depth of between {{convert|2700|m|ft|0}} and {{convert|4300|m|ft|0}} metres where geothermal energy raises the water temperature to between {{convert|64|°C|°F|1}} and {{convert|96|°C|°F|1}}. Under pressure, the heated water rises to the surface along fissures and faults in the limestone. This process is similar to an artificial one known as [[Enhanced Geothermal System]] which also makes use of the high pressures and temperatures below the Earth's crust. Hot water at a temperature of {{convert|46|°C|°F|1}} rises here at the rate of {{convert|1170000|l|impgal|0|lk=on}} every day,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseAction=SM.nav&UUID=F9F320C4-1A95-4C04-AC609094E5B5DFD3 |title=Sacred Spring |accessdate=2007-10-31 |work=Roman Baths Museum Web Site }}</ref> from a geological fault (the Pennyquick fault). In 1983 a new spa water bore-hole was sunk, providing a clean and safe supply of spa water for drinking in the Pump Room.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseAction=SM.nav&UUID=4B6F21CE-7CF4-4283-AF5C03FB05527814 |title=Hot Water |accessdate=2007-10-31 |work=Roman Baths Museum Web Site }}</ref> There is no universal definition to distinguish a [[hot spring]] from another [[Geothermal (geology)|geothermal]] spring, though by several [[Hot spring#Definitions|definitions]], the Bath springs can be considered the only hot springs in the UK. Three of these springs feed the [[Thermae Bath Spa|thermal baths]]. === Climate === Along with the rest of [[South West England]], Bath has a temperate climate which is generally wetter and milder than the rest of England. The annual mean temperature is approximately {{convert|10|°C|°F|1|lk=on}} and shows a seasonal and a [[Diurnal motion|diurnal]] variation, but due to the modifying effect of the sea the range is less than in most other parts of the UK. January is the coldest month with mean minimum temperatures between {{convert|1|°C|°F|1}} and {{convert|2|°C|°F|1}}. July and August are the warmest months in the region with mean daily maxima around {{convert|21|°C|°F|1}}.<ref name="weather"/> [[South West England]] has a favoured location with respect to the [[Azores]] high pressure when it extends its influence north-eastwards towards the UK, particularly in summer. [[Convective]] cloud often forms inland however, especially near hills, reducing the number of hours of sunshine. The average annual sunshine totals between 1,400 and 1,600&nbsp;hours.<ref name="weather"/> Rainfall tends to be associated with Atlantic [[Low pressure area|depressions]] or with convection. The Atlantic depressions are more vigorous in autumn and winter and most of the rain which falls in those seasons in the south-west is from this source. Average rainfall is around {{convert|31|in|mm|0}}&ndash;{{convert|35|in|mm|0}}. About 8&ndash;15 days of snowfall is typical. November to March have the highest mean wind speeds, with June to August having the lightest winds. The predominant wind direction is from the south-west.<ref name="weather">{{cite web | title=About south-west England | work=Met Office |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/location/southwestengland/index.html | accessdate=2006-05-28}}</ref> <table align="center"> <td>{{Yeovilton weatherbox}}</td> </table> == Demography == [[Image:Christadelphian Hall (Bath).JPG|thumb|right|[[Christadelphian]] Hall, New King Street]] The city of Bath has a [[population]] of about 80,000.<ref name=citypop /> According to the [[Politics of the United Kingdom|UK Government]]'s [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 census]], Bath, together with North East Somerset, which includes areas around Bath as far as the [[Chew Valley]], has a population of 169,040, with an average age of 39.9 (the national average being 38.6). [[Demographics]] shows according to the same statistics, the district is overwhelmingly populated by people of a white ethnic background at 97.2% – significantly higher than the national average of 90.9%. Other ethnic groups in the district, in order of population size, are [[multiracial]] at 1%, Asian at 0.5% and black at 0.5% (the national averages are 1.3%, 4.6% and 2.1%, respectively).<ref name="census">{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/00ha.asp |title=Bath and North East Somerset UA 2001 Census |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=National Statistics}}</ref> The district is largely [[Christian]] at 71%, with no other religion reaching more than 0.5%. These figures generally compare with the national averages, though the [[irreligion|non-religious]], at 19.5%, are significantly more prevalent than the national 14.8%. 7.4% of the population describe themselves as "not healthy" in the last 12&nbsp;months, compared with a national average of 9.2%; nationally 18.2% of people describe themselves as having a long-term illness, in Bath it is 15.8%.<ref name="census"/> == Culture == [[Image:Pulteney Bridge, Bath 2.jpg|thumb|left|The 18th-century [[Pulteney Bridge]] by [[Robert Adam]]]] Bath became the leading centre of fashionable life in England during the 18th century. It was during this time that Bath's [[Theatre Royal, Bath|Theatre Royal]] was built, as well as [[architecture|architectural]] developments such as [[Lansdown Crescent, Bath|Lansdown Crescent]],<ref>{{cite web | title=1 to 20 Lansdown Crescent | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442760 | accessdate=2006-11-14}}</ref> the [[Royal Crescent]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Royal Crescent | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=443488|accessdate=2006-11-14}}</ref> [[The Circus (Bath)|The Circus]] and [[Pulteney Bridge]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Pulteney Bridge | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=443316 | accessdate=2006-11-14}}</ref> Today, Bath has five [[theatre]]s – [[Bath Theatre Royal]], [[Ustinov Studio]], [[the egg, Bath|the egg]], the [[Rondo Theatre]], and the [[Mission Theatre]] – and attracts internationally renowned companies and directors, including an annual season by [[Peter Hall (theatre director)|Sir Peter Hall]]. The city also has a long-standing musical tradition; [[Bath Abbey]] is home to the [[Klais Orgelbau|Klais Organ]] and is the largest concert venue in the city,<ref>{{cite web | title=Abbey Church | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442109|accessdate=2006-11-14}}</ref> with about 20 concerts and 26 organ recitals each year. Another important concert venue is the Forum, a 1,700-seat [[art deco]] building which originated as a cinema. The city holds the [[Bath International Music Festival]] and Mozartfest every year. Other festivals include the annual [[Bath Film Festival]], [[Bath Literature Festival]], the [[Bath Fringe Festival]] and the [[Bath Beer Festival]], and the Bach Festivals which occur at two and a half year intervals. The city is home to the [[Victoria Art Gallery]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Victoria Art Gallery | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442375 | accessdate=2006-11-15}}</ref> the [[Museum of East Asian Art]], and [[Holburne Museum of Art]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Holburne of Menstrie Museum | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=443742|accessdate=2006-11-15}}</ref> numerous commercial art galleries and antique shops, as well as numerous museums, among them [[Bath Postal Museum]], the [[Fashion Museum]] (which was previously known as the Museum of Costume), the [[Jane Austen Centre]], the [[Herschel Museum of Astronomy]] and the [[Roman Baths (Bath)|Roman Baths]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Roman Baths Treatment Centre | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442194 | accessdate=2006-11-15}}</ref> The [[Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution]], now in Queen Square, and founded in 1824 on the base of a 1777 Society for the encouragement of Agriculture, Planting, Manufactures, Commerce and the Fine Arts, has an important collection and holds a rich and popular programme of talks and discussions. === Bath in the arts === During the 18th century [[Thomas Gainsborough]] and Sir [[Thomas Lawrence (painter)|Thomas Lawrence]] lived and worked in Bath.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.artchive.com/artchive/G/gainsborough.html |title=Thomas Gainsborough |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=The Artchive }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.histclo.com/art/artist-law.html |title=Artists Illustrating Boys' Fashions: Sir Thomas Lawrence (England, 1769-1830): |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Historical Boys Clothing }}</ref> [[William Friese-Greene]] began experimenting with celluloid and motion pictures in his studio in Bath in the 1870s, developing some of the earliest movie camera technology there. He is credited as the inventor of cinematography.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.victorian-cinema.net/friesegreene.htm |title=William Friese Greene |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Whos Who of Victorian Cinema }}</ref> [[Jane Austen]] lived in the city from 1801 with her father, mother and sister Cassandra, and the family resided in the city at four successive addresses until 1806.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.janeausten.co.uk/ |title=Jane Austen Centre |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=Jane Austen Centre }}</ref> However, Jane Austen never liked the city, and wrote to her sister Cassandra, "It will be two years tomorrow since we left Bath for Clifton, with what happy feelings of escape."<ref>{{cite book |title=Jane Austen: A Life |last=David |first=David |year=1998 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=0520216067 }}</ref> Despite these feelings, Bath has honoured her name with the [[Jane Austen Centre]] and a city walk. Austen's later ''[[Northanger Abbey]]'' and ''[[Persuasion]]'' are largely set in the city and feature descriptions of taking the waters, social life, and music recitals. Taking the waters is also described in [[Charles Dickens]]' novel ''[[Pickwick Papers]]'' in which Pickwick's servant, [[Sam Weller (fictional character)|Sam Weller]], comments that the water has "a very strong flavour o' warm flat irons", while the [[Royal Crescent]] is the venue for a chase between two of the characters, Dowler and Winkle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dickens-literature.com/The_Pickwick_Papers/ |title= The Pickwick Papers |accessdate=2007-12-10 |work=Complete works of Charles Dickens }}</ref> [[Moyra Caldecott]]'s novel <cite>The Waters of Sul</cite> is set in Roman Bath in 72 AD. [[Richard Brinsley Sheridan]]'s play ''[[The Rivals]]'' takes place in the city,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theatrehistory.com/irish/rivals.html |title=The Rivals: A synopsis of the play by Richard Brinsley Sheridan |accessdate=2007-12-10 |work=Theatre History.com }}</ref> as does [[Roald Dahl]]'s chilling [[short-story]], ''[[The Landlady]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/download/britlit/landlady/landlady_text.pdf |format=PDF|title=The Landlady by Roald Dahl |accessdate=2007-12-10 |work=Teaching English }}</ref> Many films and television programmes have been filmed in Bath including: the 2004 [[Vanity Fair (2004 film)|film]] of [[William Makepeace Thackeray|Thackeray]]'s ''[[Vanity Fair]]'', ''[[The Duchess (film)|The Duchess]]'' (2008), ''[[The Elusive Pimpernel]]'' (1950) and ''[[The Titfield Thunderbolt]]'' (1953).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/List?endings=on&&locations=Bath,%20Somerset,%20England,%20UK&&heading=18;with+locations+including;Bath,%20Somerset,%20England,%20UK |title=Titles with locations including Bath, Somerset |accessdate=2007-12-10 |work=Internet Movie Database }}</ref> In August 2003 the [[Three Tenors]] sang at a special concert to mark the opening of the [[Thermae Bath Spa]], a new hot water [[Thermae|spa]] in Bath City Centre; delays to the project meant the spa actually opened three years later on [[August 7]] [[2006]]. === Parks === [[Image:Bath - Parade Gardens - July 2006.jpg|thumb|right|Parade Gardens in July after a rain shower]] The city has several [[public park]]s, the main one being [[Royal Victoria Park, Bath|Royal Victoria Park]], which is a short walk from the centre of the city. It was opened in 1830 by an 11-year-old [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Princess Victoria]], and was the first park to carry her name.<ref>[http://visitbath.co.uk/site/things_to_do/p_25701 "Visit Bath & Beyond"]</ref> The park is overlooked by the [[Royal Crescent]] and consists of {{convert|57|acre|ha|0}} with a variety of attractions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofbath.co.uk/Parks_rec/vicpark.html |title=Victoria Park |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=City of Bath }}</ref> These include a [[skateboard]] ramp, [[tennis]] courts, [[bowling]], a putting green and a 12- and 18-hole [[golf]] course, a pond, open air concerts, and a popular children's play area. Much of its area is [[lawn]]; a notable feature is the way in which a [[Ha-ha (garden)|ha-ha]] segregates it from the [[Royal Crescent]], while giving the impression to a viewer from the Crescent of a greensward uninterrupted across the Park down to Royal Avenue. It has received a "[[Green Flag award]]", the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales, and is registered by [[English Heritage]] as a [[National Historical Park|Park of National Historic Importance]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/winners/GSP001022/ |title=Royal Victoria Park |accessdate=2008-01-25 |work=Green Flag award }}</ref> The and a {{convert|9|acre|ha|0}} botanical garden were formed in 1887 and contain one of the finest collections of plants on [[limestone]] in the [[West country]]. The replica of a Roman Temple was used at the [[British Empire Exhibition]] at [[Wembley]] in 1924.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2007/06/27/royal_victoria_park_feature.shtml |title=Playing in the park |accessdate=2007-11-10 |work=BBC Bristol }}</ref> In 1987 the gardens were extended to include the Great Dell, a disused quarry that was formally part of the park, which contains a large collection of [[conifers]]. Other parks in Bath include: Alexandra Park, which crowns a hill and overlooks the city; Parade Gardens, along the river front near the Abbey in the centre of the city; Sydney Gardens, known as a pleasure-garden in the 18th century; Henrietta Park; Hedgemead Park; and Alice Park. Jane Austen wrote of Sydney Gardens that "It would be pleasant to be near the Sydney Gardens. We could go into the Labyrinth every day."<ref>{{cite book |title=Jane Austen: Her homes & her friends |last=Hill |first=Constance |year=1901 |publisher=John Lane. Dodley Head Ltd |isbn= }}</ref> Alexandra, Alice and Henrietta parks were built into the growing city among the housing developments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.geocities.com/avongardenstrust/gardens.html |title=Local park sand gardens |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Avon Gardens Trust }}</ref> There is also a linear park following the old [[Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway]] line. === Food === [[Image:Sally Lunns house.jpg|thumb|right|Sally Lunn's, home of the Sally Lunn Bun]] Bath is linked to a variety of foods that are distinctive in their association with the city. ''Sally Lunn Buns'' (a type of [[teacake]]) have long been baked in Bath. They were first mentioned by that name in verses printed in a local newspaper, the [[Bath Chronicle]], in 1772.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Cakes/SallyLunnCake.htm |title=History of Sally Lunn Cake |accessdate=2007-12-10 |work=Whats cooking America }}</ref> At that time they were eaten hot at public breakfasts in the city's Spring Gardens. They can be eaten with sweet or savoury toppings. These are sometimes confused with the ''[[Bath bun|Bath Bun]]'' which are smaller, round, very sweet, very rich buns that were associated with the city following [[The Great Exhibition]]. Bath Buns were originally topped with crushed [[comfit]]s created by dipping [[caraway]] seeds repeatedly in boiling sugar; but today seeds are added to a 'London Bath Bun' (a reference to the bun's promotion and sale at the Great Exhibition).<ref>{{cite book |title=Oxford Companion to Food p 114|last=Davidson |first=Alan |year=1999 |isbn=0192115790 }}</ref> The seeds may be replaced by crushed sugar granules or 'nibs'. Bath has also lent its name to one other distinctive recipe – ''Bath Olivers'' – the dry baked biscuit invented by Dr William Oliver, physician to the [[Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases|Mineral Water Hospital]] in 1740.<ref name="oliver">{{cite web |url=http://www.cornwall-calling.co.uk/famous-cornish-people/oliver.htm |title=Dr William Oliver, Bath Oliver Biscuit Inventor |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Cornwall calling }}</ref> Oliver was an early anti-obesity campaigner and the author of a ''"Practical Essay on the Use and Abuse of warm Bathing in Gluty Cases"''.<ref name="oliver"/> In more recent years, Oliver's efforts have been traduced by the introduction of a version of the biscuit with a plain chocolate coating. The ''Bath Chap'', which is the salted and smoked cheek and jawbones of the pig, takes its name from the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-Bathchap.html |title=Bath chap |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work= A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition, Oxford University Press }}</ref> It is still available from a stall in the daily covered market. Although there is a brewery named [[Bath Ales]], located a few miles away in [[Warmley]], [[Abbey Ales (brewery)|Abbey Ales]] are brewed in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abbeyales.co.uk/page.asp?id=aboutus |title=About Abbey Ales |accessdate=2008-01-07 |work=Abbey Ales }}</ref> == Sport == [[Bath Rugby]] is a [[rugby union]] team which is currently in the [[Guinness Premiership]] league and coached by Steve Meehan.<ref name="coach">{{cite web | title=Bath promote Meehan to head coach | work=[[BBC]] | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/5237610.stm | accessdaymonth=31 August |accessyear=2006}}</ref> It plays in black, blue and white kit at the [[Recreation Ground (Bath)|Recreation Ground]] in the city, where it has been since the late 19th century, following its establishment in 1865.<ref name="bathrughist">{{cite web |url=http://www.bathrugby.com/26_43.php |title=The story so far |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Bath Rugby }}</ref> The team's first major honour was winning the [[John Player Cup]] four years consecutively from 1984 until 1987.<ref name="bathrughist"/> The team then led the [[Guinness Premiership|Courage league]] for six consecutive seasons, from 1988/1989 until 1995/1996, during which time it also won the [[Pilkington Cup]] in 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1996.<ref name="bathrughist"/> It finally won the [[Heineken Cup]] in the 1997/1998 season, and topped the Zürich Premiership (now Guinness Premiership) in 2003&ndash;2004.<ref name="bathrughist"/> The team's current [[squad]] includes several members who also play in the [[England national rugby union team|English national team]] including: [[Steve Borthwick]], [[Lee Mears]], [[Matt Stevens (rugby player)|Matt Stevens]], [[Olly Barkley]], [[David Flatman]] and [[Danny Grewcock]]. [[Colston's Collegiate School]], [[Bristol]] has had a large input in the team over the past decade, providing several current 1st XV squad members. The former England Rugby Team Manager [[Andy Robinson]] used to play for Bath Rugby team and was captain and later coach. Both of Robinson's predecessors, [[Clive Woodward]] and [[Jack Rowell]], were also former Bath coaches and managers as well as his successor [[Brian Ashton (rugby player)|Brian Ashton]]. [[Bath City F.C.]] and [[Team Bath F.C.]] (affiliated with the [[University of Bath]]) are the major [[football (soccer)|football]] teams. Both teams play in the [[Conference South]] - in 2007, Bath City became champions of the Southern Football League, and were promoted,<ref name="bathcityhist">{{cite web |url=http://www.fchd.info/BATHC.HTM |title=Bath City |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Football Club History Database }}</ref> whilst Team Bath were promoted the following year after winning the [[Southern_Football_League_2007-08#Premier_Division|Southern League Premier Division playoffs]]. In 2002, Team Bath became the first university team to enter the [[FA Cup]] in 120&nbsp;years, and advanced through four qualifying rounds to the first round proper.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teambath.com/?p=1341 |title=Paul Tisdale |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Team Bath }}</ref> The university's team was established in 1999, while the city team has existed since before 1908 (when it entered the [[Western Football League|Western League]]).<ref name="bathcityhist"/> [[Bath City F.C.]] play their games at [[Twerton Park]]. [[Cricket]] is played at the [[Bath Cricket Club]] at the North Parade Ground. Cricket can also be played on the Recreation Ground, just across from where the Rugby is played. The Rec's cricket ground is the venue for the annual [[Bath Cricket Festival]] which sees [[Somerset County Cricket Club]] play several games. The Recreation Ground is also home to Bath Croquet Club, which was re-formed in 1976 and is affiliated with the South West Federation of [[Croquet]] Clubs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bathcroquet.com |title= Bath Croquet Club|accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Bath Croquet Club }}</ref> The [[Bath Half Marathon]] is run annually through the city streets, with over 10,000 runners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.runninghigh.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ho0|title=Bath Half Marathon|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref> Bath also has a thriving [[cycling]] community, with places for biking including [[Royal Victoria Park, Bath|Royal Victoria Park]], 'The Tumps' in Odd Down/east, the jumps on top of [[Lansdown, Bath|Lansdown]], and Prior Park. Places for biking near Bath include [[Brown's Folly]] in [[Batheaston]] and Box Woods, in [[Box, Wiltshire|Box]]. Bath is also the home of the Bath American Football Club, which has been playing [[American Football]] in the city since 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bathafc.co.uk/|title=Bath American Football Club|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref> [[TeamBath]] is the umbrella name for all of the [[University of Bath]] sports teams, including the aforementioned football club. Other sports for which TeamBath is noted are [[athletics (track and field)|athletics]], [[badminton]], [[basketball]], [[skeleton (sport)|bob skeleton]], [[bobsleigh]], [[field hockey|hockey]], [[judo]], [[modern pentathlon]], [[netball]], [[rugby union]], [[swimming]], [[tennis]], [[triathlon]] and [[volleyball]]. The City of Bath Triathlon takes place annually at the university. == Industry == Today, Bath's once-important manufacturing sector is much diminished, but it has notable software, publishing and service-oriented industries, in addition to tourism. Important economic sectors in Bath include education and health (30,000 jobs), retail, tourism and leisure (14,000 jobs) and business and professional services (10,000 jobs).<ref name="jobs">{{cite web |url=http://www.business-matters.biz/default.asp?p=30 |title=Bath in Focus |accessdate=2007-12-12 |work=Business Matters }}</ref> Its main employers are the [[National Health Service]], the two universities and the Bath and North East Somerset Council, as well as the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]], although a number of MOD offices formerly in Bath have now moved to [[Bristol]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gnn.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?NavigatedFromSearch=True&NewsAreaID=2&ReleaseID=230797 |title=Ministry Of Defence (National): Defence Logistics move to South West given green light |accessdate=2007-12-10 |work=Government News Network }}</ref> Growing employment sectors include information and communication technologies and creative and cultural industries where Bath is one of the recognised national centres for publishing,<ref name="jobs"/> with the magazine publisher [[Future Publishing]] employing around 650 people. Others include [[Helphire Group plc]], an accident management company specialising in non-fault motor accidents (800 jobs), and [[Buro Happold]] (400).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.business-matters.biz/downloads/economic_profile_of_bath.pdf|title=Economic Profile, August 2005 |accessdate=2007-12-12 |format=PDF |work=Bath and North East Somerset }}</ref> The city contains over 400 retail shops, 50% being run by independent specialist retailers, and around 100 restaurants and cafes which are primarily supported by tourism.<ref name="jobs"/> == Tourism == {{see also|List of places of interest in Bath, Somerset}} [[Image:Bath Abbey and Entertainer - July 2006.jpg|thumb|right|Bath is popular with tourists in the summer. The entertainer is performing in front of [[Bath Abbey]]; the [[Roman Baths (Bath)|Roman Baths]] are to the right.]] Bath's principal industry is [[tourism]], with more than one million staying visitors and 3.8&nbsp;million day visitors to the city on an annual basis.<ref name="jobs"/> The visits mainly fall into the categories of [[heritage tourism]] and [[cultural tourism]]. All significant stages of the [[history of England]] are represented within the city, from the [[Roman Baths (Bath)|Roman Baths]] (including their significant [[Celt]]ic presence), to [[Bath Abbey]] and the [[Royal Crescent]], to [[Thermae Bath Spa]] in the 2000s. The size of the tourist industry is reflected in the almost 300 places of accommodation &ndash; including over 80 [[hotel]]s, and over 180 [[bed and breakfast]]s &ndash; many of which are located in [[Georgian architecture|Georgian buildings]]. Two of the hotels have 'five-star' ratings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2006/12/20/310563/aa-listed-five-star-hotels.html |title=AA-listed five-star hotels |accessdate=2007-12-12 |work=Caterer Search }}</ref> There are also two campsites located on the western edge of the city. The city also contains about 100 restaurants, and a similar number of [[public house]]s and [[bar (establishment)|bars]]. Several companies offer [[open-top bus]] tours around the city, as well as tours on foot and on the river. Since 2006, with the opening of Thermae Bath Spa, the city has attempted to recapture its historical position as the only town in the [[United Kingdom]] offering visitors the opportunity to bathe in naturally-heated spring waters. === Twinned towns === Bath has four [[Town twinning|twinned towns]]:<ref name="twinning">{{cite web |url=http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/leisureandculture/tourismandtravel/Twinning/ |title=Town Twinning |accessdate=2007-12-12 |work=Bath and North East Somerset Council }}</ref> * {{flagicon|France}} [[Aix-en-Provence]], [[France]] * {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Alkmaar]], [[Netherlands]] * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Braunschweig]], [[Germany]] * {{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Kaposvár]], [[Hungary]] * {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Beppu]], [[Ōita Prefecture]], [[Japan]] Bath also has a partnership agreement with [[Beppu]], [[Japan]] and is a sister city to [[Manly, New South Wales]], [[Australia]].<ref name="twinning"/> == Transport == Bath is approximately {{convert|15|mi|km|0}} south-east of the larger city and port of [[Bristol]], to which it is linked by the [[A4 road]], and is a similar distance south of the [[M4 motorway]]. In an attempt to reduce the level of car use [[Park and Ride]] schemes have been introduced, with sites at Odd Down, Lansdown and Newbridge, with a Saturdays-only site at the University of Bath. In addition a [[Bus Gate]] scheme in Northgate aims to reduce private car use in the city centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/transportandstreets/transportpolicy/plansandstrategies/bathpackage/|title=Bath Transport Package - Major Scheme Bid |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Bath and North East Somerset }}</ref> [[National Express]] operates [[Coach (vehicle)|coach]] services from Bath to a number of cities. Internally, Bath has a network of bus routes run by [[First Group]], with services to surrounding towns and cities. There is one other company running open top double-decker bus tours around the city. The city is connected to Bristol and the sea by the [[River Avon, Bristol|River Avon]], navigable via [[canal lock|locks]] by small boats. The river was connected to the [[River Thames]] and London by the [[Kennet and Avon Canal]] in 1810 via [[Bath Locks]]; this waterway – closed for many years, but restored in the last years of the 20th century – is now popular with [[narrow boat]] users.<ref>{{cite book |last=Allsop |first=Niall |title=The Kennet & Avon Canal |year=1987 |publisher=Millstream Book |location=Bath |id=ISBN 0-948975-15-6 }}</ref> Bath is on [[NCR 4|National Cycle Route 4]], with one of Britain's first [[cycleway]]s, the [[Bristol & Bath Railway Path]], to the west, and an eastern route toward [[London]] on the canal towpath. Although Bath does not have an airport, the city is about {{convert|18|mi|km|0}} from [[Bristol International Airport]]. Bath is served by the [[Bath Spa railway station]] (designed by [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]]), which has regular connections to [[London]] [[Paddington station|Paddington]], [[Bristol]] [[Bristol Temple Meads|Temple Meads]], [[Cardiff Central]], [[Swansea]], [[Exeter]], [[Plymouth]] and [[Penzance]] (see [[Great Western Main Line]]), and also [[Westbury, Wiltshire|Westbury]], [[Warminster]], [[Salisbury, Wiltshire|Salisbury]], [[Southampton]], [[Portsmouth]] and [[Brighton]] (see [[Wessex Main Line]]). Services are provided by [[First Great Western]]. There is a suburban station on the main line, [[Oldfield Park railway station|Oldfield Park]], which has a limited commuter service to Bristol as well as other destinations. [[Bath Green Park railway station|Green Park station]] was once operated by the [[Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway]], whose line (always steam driven) climbed over the [[Mendip Hills|Mendips]] and served many towns and villages on its {{convert|71|mi|km|0|sing=on}} run to [[Bournemouth]]; this example of an English rural line was closed by [[Beeching Axe|Beeching]] in March 1966, with few remaining signs of its existence, but its Bath station building survives and now houses a number of shops. == Architecture == {{Infobox World Heritage Site | WHS = City of Bath | Image = [[Image:aerial.view.of.bath.arp.jpg|300px|Aerial view over northern Bath from a hot air balloon. The famous Royal Crescent is in the centre.]] | State Party = [[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|22px]] [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland]] | Type = Cultural | Criteria = i, ii, iv | ID = 428 | Region = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe and North America]] | Year = 1987 | Session = 11th | Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/428 }} There are many Roman [[archeology|archaeological]] sites throughout the central area of the city, but most of them are around {{convert|15|ft|m}} below the present city street level. Around the hot springs, Roman foundations, pillar bases, and baths can still be seen, however all the [[stonework]] above the level of the baths is from more recent periods.<ref name="appx3">{{cite web |url=http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/worldheritage/3Append.htm |title=City of Bath World Heritage Site Management Plan - Appendix 3 |accessdate=2007-11-01 |work=Bath and North East Somerset Council }}</ref> [[Bath Abbey]] was a [[Norman architecture|Norman]] church built on earlier foundations, although the present building dates from the early 16th century and shows a [[Perpendicular Period|late Perpendicular]] style with [[flying buttress]]es and [[crocket]]ed [[pinnacle]]s decorating a [[Crenellation|crenellated]] and pierced [[parapet]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Bath Abbey | work=Images of England|url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442109 | accessdate=2007-09-25}}</ref> The choir and transepts have a [[fan vault]] by [[Robert Vertue|Robert]] and [[William Vertue]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buildinghistory.org/bath/abbey/vertue.htm |title=A Building of Vertue |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Bath Past }}</ref> The nave was given a matching vault in the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planetware.com/bath/bath-abbey-eng-av-baabb.htm |title=Bath Abbey |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=Planet Ware }}</ref> The building is lit by 52 windows.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/bath-abbey.htm |title=Bath Abbey |accessdate=2007-09-27|work=Sacred destinations }}</ref> Most buildings in Bath are made from the local, golden-coloured [[Bath Stone]], and many date from the 18th and 19th century. The dominant style of architecture in Bath is [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.essential-architecture.com/STYLE/STY-E02.htm |title=Georgian architecture |accessdate=2007-12-12 |work=Essential Architecture.com }}</ref> this evolved from the [[Palladian architecture|Palladian]] revival style which became popular in the early 18th century. Many of the prominent architects of the day were employed in the development of the city. The original purpose of much of Bath's architecture is concealed by the honey-coloured classical façades; in an [[era]] before the advent of the luxury [[hotel]], these apparently elegant residences were frequently purpose-built lodging houses, where visitors could hire a room, a floor, or (according to their means) an entire house for the duration of their visit, and be waited on by the house's communal [[servant (domestic)|servants]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/schools/historical-and-cultural-studies/irish-studies/research-projects/social-decline-and-slum-conditions.pdf |format=PDF|title=Social Decline and Slum Conditions: Irish migrants in Bath's History |accessdate=2007-12-12 |last=David |first=Graham |date=2000 |work=Bath History Vol VIII}}</ref> "[[The Circus (Bath)|The Circus]]" consists of three long, curved terraces designed by the elder [[John Wood, the Elder|John Wood]] to form a circular space or theatre intended for civic functions and games. The games give a clue to the design, the inspiration behind which was the [[Colosseum]] in [[Rome]].<ref name="gadd">{{cite book |title=Georgian Summer |last=Gadd |first=David |year=1987 |publisher=Countryside Books |isbn= }}</ref> Like the Colosseum, the three façades have a different order of architecture on each floor: [[Doric order|Doric]] on the ground level, then [[Ionic order|Ionic]] on the [[piano nobile]] and finishing with [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]] on the upper floor, the style of the building thus becoming progressively more ornate as it rises.<ref name="gadd"/> Wood never lived to see his unique example of town planning completed, as he died five days after personally laying the foundation stone on [[May 18]] [[1754]].<ref name="gadd"/> [[Image:Bath Abbey Fan Vaulting - July 2006.jpg|thumb|left|[[Fan vault]]ing over the [[nave]] at [[Bath Abbey]], Bath, England. Made from local Bath stone, this is a Victorian restoration (made in the 1860s) of the original roof from 1608]] The best known of Bath's terraces is the [[Royal Crescent]], built between 1767 and 1774 and designed by the younger [[John Wood, the Younger|John Wood]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Royal Crescent | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=447275 | accessdate=2006-11-14}}</ref> But all is not what it seems; while Wood designed the great curved façade of what appears to be about 30 houses with Ionic [[column]]s on a rusticated ground floor, that was the extent of his input. Each purchaser bought a certain length of the façade, and then employed their own architect to build a house to their own specifications behind it; hence what appears to be two houses is sometimes one. This system of town planning is betrayed at the rear of the crescent: while the front is completely uniform and symmetrical, the rear is a mixture of differing roof heights, juxtapositions and fenestration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.architecture.com/HowWeBuiltBritain/HistoricalPeriods/GeorgianWestAndIreland/GeorgianTownPlanning/Bath%E2%80%93RoyalCrescent.aspx |title=The Royal Crescent, Bath |accessdate=2007-12-12 |work=architecture.com }}</ref> This "''Queen Anne fronts and Mary-Anne backs''" architecture occurs repeatedly in Bath.<ref>{{cite book |title=Subjects and Citizens: Nation, Race, and Gender from Oroonoko to Anita Hill |last=Moon |first=Michael |coauthors=Cathy N. Davidson |year=1995 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=0822315394 }}</ref> Around 1770 the [[neoclassicism|neoclassical]] architect [[Robert Adam]] designed [[Pulteney Bridge]], using as the prototype for the three-arched bridge spanning the Avon an original, but unused, design by [[Palladio]] for the [[Rialto Bridge]] in [[Venice]].<ref name="pultney">{{cite journal |last=Manco |first=Jean |year=1995 |title=Pulteney Bridge |journal=Architectural History|volume=38 |pages=129–145 |doi=10.2307/1568625 |url=http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0066-622X(1995)38%3C129%3APB%3E2.0.CO%3B2-M |accessdate= 2007-12-12 |quote= }}</ref> Thus, Pulteney Bridge became not just a means of crossing the river, but also a shopping arcade. Along with the Rialto Bridge, is one of the very few surviving bridges in Europe to serve this dual purpose.<ref name="pultney"/> It has been substantially altered since it was built. The bridge was named after Frances and [[Sir William Pulteney, 5th Baronet|William Pulteney]], the owners of the Bathwick estate for which the bridge provided a link to the rest of Bath.<ref name="pultney"/> The heart of the Georgian city was the [[Pump Room]], which, together with its associated Lower Assembly Rooms, was designed by [[Thomas Baldwin (architect)|Thomas Baldwin]], a local builder who was responsible for many other buildings in the city, including the terraces in Argyle Street.<ref name="colvin">{{cite book |title=A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840 |last=Colvin |first=Howard |authorlink=Howard Colvin |isbn=0300072074 }}</ref> Baldwin rose rapidly, becoming a leader in Bath's architectural history. In 1776 he was made the chief [[Bath City Surveyor|City Surveyor]], and in 1780 became [[Bath City Architect]].<ref name="colvin"/> [[Great Pulteney Street]], where he eventually lived, is another of his works: this wide [[boulevard]], constructed circa 1789 and over {{convert|1000|ft|m|0}} long and {{convert|100|ft|m|0}} wide, is lined on both sides by Georgian terraces. In the 1960s and early 1970s some parts of Bath were unsympathetically redeveloped, resulting in the loss of some 18th- and 19th-century buildings. This process was largely halted by a popular campaign which drew strength from the publication of Adam Fergusson's ''The Sack of Bath''.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Image of Georgian Bath, 1700-2000: Towns, Heritage, and History |last=Borsay |first=Peter |year=2000 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0198202652 }}</ref> {{wide image|Royal Crescent in Bath, England - July 2006.jpg|1500px|A panoramic view of the Royal Crescent}} == Education == {{main|Education in Bath, Somerset}} Bath has two [[university|universities]]. The [[University of Bath]] was established in 1966 and has grown to become a leading university in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bath.ac.uk/internal/staff/intro/history.html |title=History of the University |accessdate=2007-12-10 |work=University of Bath }}</ref> The university is known, academically, for the physical sciences, mathematics, architecture, management and technology.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bath.ac.uk/departments/ |title=Departments |accessdate=2007-12-10 |work=University of Bath}}</ref> [[Bath Spa University]] was first granted degree-awarding powers in 1992 as a [[university college]], before being granted [[university]] status in August 2005.<ref name="bathspa">{{cite web |url=http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/ |title=Bath Spa University |accessdate=2007-12-10 |work=Bath Spa University }}</ref> It has schools in the following subject areas: Art and Design, Education, English and Creative Studies, Historical and Cultural Studies, Music and the Performing Arts, and Social Sciences.<ref name="bathspa"/> The city contains one [[further education]] college, [[City of Bath College]], and several [[sixth form]]s as part of both [[state school|state]] and [[independent school (UK)|independent school]]s. == Media == Bath has two main local newspapers, the ''[[Bath Chronicle]]'' and the ''[[Bath Times]]''. The Bath Chronicle, published since 1760, was a daily newspaper until mid-September 2007 when it became a weekly.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/aug/02/pressandpublishing2 | title= Bath daily goes weekly | publisher= [[The Guardian]] | last= Brook | first= Stephen | date= [[2 August]] [[2007]] | accessdate= 2008-01-07}}</ref> The Bath Times is a [[Gratis versus Libre|free]] weekly newspaper, largely based around [[advertising]]. Both newspapers are owned by [[Northcliffe Media]]. The [[BBC]]'s ''Where I Live'' website for Somerset has featured coverage of news and events within Bath since 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/|title=BBC Somerset|accessdate=2007-12-09|work=BBC}}</ref> For television, Bath is served by the [[BBC West]] studios based in [[Bristol]], and by [[HTV|ITV West]] (formerly HTV) with studios similarly in Bristol. Radio stations broadcasting to the city include [[Bath's GWR FM]] and the more locally-focused [[Bath FM]], as well as The University of Bath's [[1449AM URB]], a student-focused radio on campus and also available online,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1449urb.co.uk |title=University Radio Bath |accessdate=2007-12-09 |work=University Radio Bath }}</ref> and [[Brunel Classic Gold|Classic Gold 1260]] a networked commercial radio station with local programmes. ==See also== * [[List of notable Bathonians]] * [[List of spa towns in the United Kingdom]] == References == {{reflist|2}} == External links == {{commons|Bath|Bath}} {{Wikisource1911Enc|Bath}} * [http://visitbath.co.uk Official tourist information] * [http://www.clevr.com/pano/86 Virtual tour of Bath] *{{dmoz|/Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Somerset/Bath/|Bath}} *{{wikitravel|Bath (England)|Bath}} *[http://in2town.co.uk/Bath-Business-Directory.html Bath Business Directory] {{UK cities}} {{World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom}} {{Somerset}} {{featured article}} [[Category:Bath| ]] [[Category:Cities in England]] [[Category:Former non-metropolitan districts]] [[Category:Spa towns in England]] [[Category:Towns in Somerset]] [[Category:World Heritage Sites in England]] {{Link FA|sv}} [[ang:Baðanceaster]] [[ar:باث]] [[br:Bath]] [[ca:Bath]] [[cs:Bath]] [[cy:Caerfaddon]] [[da:Bath]] [[de:Bath]] [[es:Bath]] [[eo:Bath]] [[fa:باث]] [[fr:Bath]] [[id:Bath, Inggris]] [[it:Bath]] [[he:באת']] [[la:Aquae Sulis]] [[lb:Bath]] [[hu:Bath]] [[nl:Bath (Engeland)]] [[ja:バース (イギリス)]] [[no:Bath]] [[nrm:Ba]] [[pl:Bath (Anglia)]] [[pt:Bath (Somerset)]] [[ro:Bath]] [[qu:Bath]] [[ru:Бат]] [[simple:Bath, England]] [[sr:Бат (Сомерсет)]] [[fi:Bath]] [[sv:Bath]] [[vo:Bath (Linglän)]] [[zh:巴斯]]