Travels in Bath!

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to visit Bath. I spent about a day and a half in Bath, not enough time to see everything sadly, but I had the chance to see some of the great sights!

Bath is great in that it is easy to walk through. Having arrived at the train station, the first stop was the Sally Lunn Museum. Having done my research on the internet, the Sally Lunn bun is very famous in Bath. Every tourist is advised to try one!

Five minutes we arrived - the building consists of three levels of dining areas, and there is a museum and gift shop on the lower level. The building itself is quite historic and retains much of its quaint charm. Upon entering, the place is quite busy - we manage to sneak a table in the corner by the window. What is said to be unique about the bun is that it is great tasting as a savoury or sweet dish. Following that, we ordered the smoked salmon bun and the dulce con leche bun.

A cup of the Sally Lunn blend loose leaf tea

Dulce con leche - sweet!

Smoked salmon bun

What you get is half of the Sally Lunn bun with the meal, which turns out to be plenty enough! Great tasting and filling, the food is a plus point. The service is a little hectic, perhaps down to the number of customers? I get no strainer given to me for my loose leaf tea, and the food takes a long time to arrive. It comes down to getting the attention of another waitress to question the whereabouts of the food, and when she returns to ask what we ordered...it doesn't sound promising!

In the end, the food is worth it, although some might find it a little pricey. We had the drinks deducted from the bill because of the long wait, which was good of them. The museum isn't really a museum as such. It simply consists of a small display about the history of the Sally Lunn bun. Having said that, it is still talked about as one of the must-do things in Bath!

I am happy.

The Bath Abbey is another landmark in the city, and at night, it makes for a beautiful sight, with the lights lit up! Comes complete with a happy pig.

Bath Abbey at day

It is free to enter the Bath Abbey, although on arrival, it is strongly suggested that you make a donation. We donated £2. There is also the option of the tower tour, where you can explore more of the abbey and walk to the top of the tower (£6) but due to time constraints and bad weather we passed on that. Walking into the abbey, one experiences a great emotional connection to the vast history contained within its walls. The great detail in its architecture is another highlight to the visit. Information is provided on the different areas of the building, which is helpful to visitors.

Of course, Bath is well known for its baths, and what better way to explore its history than the Roman Baths? It is a little pricey at £14 a ticket, but there is the option to combine your ticket with entry to the Fashion Museum a few steps away. It is a fantastic museum with activities for the family and personal tour guide boxes which let you explore the museum at your own pace and route. The tour guide boxes come in different languages making it a wonderful visit for international visitors, plus also the option of the Bill Bryson guide - truly special.

Next to the Roman Baths is the Pump Room, a perfect spot for some afternoon tea! Looking at the internet, I found a discount for 2 for 1 afternoon tea (although I think this discount has ended now). Inside is beautifully decorated - it was said to be the shooting location for the ITV adaptation of Persuasion, and it is not hard to see why. There was also live piano, adding a touch of class to a classy place. 

Pump Room

Tea

There is also the option to try the water fresh from the Bath springs!

Another thing to try at the Pump Room is the water from the Bath springs. Said to be good for your health, the water has what can be described as an acquired taste: warm...slightly metal? On the side, there are a lot of glasses half full (or half empty, if you are feeling pessimistic) which suggests many feel the same...

So this is what I saw during my visit, but there was so much more that I wanted to see! The Fashion Museum, the Victoria Art Gallery, No. 1 Royal Crescent... it demands a second visit!

If you are wanting to visit Bath, I would highly recommend you plan beforehand online. There are many great offers depending on what kind of activities you wish to do, some of which can be found on the official Bath tourism website. First Great Western also boasts many 2 for 1 offers in conjunction with the purchase of a rail ticket.