Bath

Bath is a city in South West England most famous for its baths fed by three hot springs. The city was first documented as a Roman spa, although tradition suggests that it was founded earlier. The waters from its spring were believed to be a cure for many afflictions. From Elizabethan to Georgian times it was a resort city for the wealthy. As a result of its popularity during the latter period, the city contains many fine examples of Georgian architecture, most notably the Royal Crescent. The city has a population of over 90,000 and is a World Heritage Site.

Business

The city lies at the junction of the Kennet and Avon Canal and the navigable River Avon. It has a station on the main line from London to Bristol, which was built by the Great Western Railway. At one time, it was also served by the Midland Railway, and by the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. These connections allowed the city to develop industry.

Related Topics:
Kennet and Avon Canal - River Avon - London - Bristol - Great Western Railway - Midland Railway - Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Today, its once-important manufacturing sector is much declined, but it has notable software, publishing and service-oriented industries, in addition to tourism. The magazine publisher Future is one of Bath's bigger employers. The firm publishes over 100 magazines, including many in the computer and video gaming sector. Bath contains many small single-shop or restaurant-based businesses, which fulfil a niche market and are primarily supported by tourism.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tourism

Bath's principal industry is tourism. Bath is the most visited city outside of London for tourists travelling to the UK, whose visits mainly fall into the categories of heritage tourism or cultural tourism. The history of Bath, stretching back to ancient times, is a large part of the reason for its popularity. More important, however, is the architecture. All significant stages of the history of England are actually represented within the city, from the Roman Baths (including their significant Celtic presence), to Bath Abbey, to the Royal Crescent. Similarly, the cohesion of these stages and styles through the medium of the unique Bath stone makes the city aesthetically beautiful.

Related Topics:
Tourism - London - Heritage tourism - Cultural tourism - History of England - Celt - Bath Abbey - Royal Crescent - Bath stone

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bath has been a city based upon tourism since the 18th century (with a brief decline in the 19th century); the input of money by tourists, and the mere fact that they were visiting, allowed the building of many architectural projects. This was historically expressed in projects such as the Royal Crescent, but has encouraged projects such as Thermae Bath Spa in the 2000s.

Related Topics:
Royal Crescent - Thermae Bath Spa

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The true size of this industry is reflected in the almost 300 places of accommodation—including over 80 hotels, and over 180 Bed and Breakfasts—many of which are located in Georgian buildings and have five-star ratings. Some of the most famous include The Royal Crescent Hotel which may be found, as may be guessed, in the Royal Crescent. The city also contains approximately 100 restaurants, and a similar number of public houses and bars. Several companies offer open-top bus tours around the city (despised by many locals for the pollution they cause), as well as tours on foot and on the river.

Related Topics:
Hotel - Bed and Breakfast - Georgian buildings - The Royal Crescent Hotel - Public house - Bars - Open-top bus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The tourist season is the summer, though there is a year-round presence of tourists, both national and international. While many come to Bath to see the city in general, some are attracted to particular aspects of the city, such as the Jane Austen landmarks or the Roman Baths.

Related Topics:
Jane Austen - Roman Baths

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~