The storm last night was a bit frightening in our little motorhome, the strong wind howling through the trees around us plus the rain. Earplugs do wonders to block out the world and let you sleep save the worrying till the morning.

The wind is still quite strong and it is very cold when we ventured out early in the morning lots of debris on the ground from all the trees around the caravan site. The sky looks okay so looks like we are cycling into Bath for the day.

All rugged up we hit the trail along the River Avon very muddy and rough in parts but the vista is beautiful and peaceful with narrowboats moored at the river's edge, birds chirping, white swans and signets feeding.

Finding our way into the city centre was a bit challenging as Bath is a compact city with easily walkable Grand Georgian streets and picturesque passageways and designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site. With bikes securely locked at the bike racks we joined the many other tourists outside the Pump House for our FREE guided tour of Bath. Looking round plus reading brochures beforehand Bath (nourished by the world famous hot springs) presents some of Europe’s finest Georgian architecture such as the Royal Crescent, the Circus and Pultney Bridge alongside a diverse collection of museums including the Roman Baths, Jane Austen Centre and Thermae Bath Spa. Shopping in Bath is simply irresistible, offering a memorable experience with a fabulous selection of small independent shops and stylish boutiques alongside familiar big name stores. All of these we are about to see on our two and a half hour tour.

Because of the rain yesterday we didn’t have time to go inside the Bath Abbey with its breathtaking stained glass window, majestic Bath sandstone columns and spectacular vaulted ceilings. It has been a place of worship for over 1,200 years. Next to it is the Roman Baths and Pump House, which we did stand in a long queue in the rain to pay and see later in the afternoon after lunch.

With audio guides we follow how the Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex that still flows with natural hot water from Britain’s only hot spring. We walked through looking at the vast cavernous contents (ruins), including the mineral-rich Sacred spring and displays of the classical Temples spanned out directly beneath the nearby streets and squares. The Romans certainly knew how the live with change rooms, massage and preparing room, swimming pool, steam room, plunge pool and the thermal spring pool, the remains of what tourists pay to see.

The Pump Room or House beside the Roman Baths is where the water is pumped form the spring into the pools of the Roman Bath all built by the Romans around the springs over 300 years from 60AD.



The Guide was very passionate and informative about his city delving into the past of the Georgian aristocrats who flocked to the Bath springs their hygiene was disgusting they never bathed. There are two other thermal spring baths, The King And Queen Baths where we were lucking enough to go inside for free to see the baths and there is the modern-day Thermae Bath Spa where you pay to indulge in the pleasures of the thermal hot spring waters.

The main attraction apart from the Roman Baths I wanted to see was Royal Crescent built 250 years ago these circular buildings was designed as luxurious accommodations for visiting aristocrats and royalty. Pity we didn’t have time to visit No.1 as this handsome townhouse has been impeccably restored to its original. One would need to stay in cities for a week to completely explore that is to see.

The Circus was interesting it is Britain’s first roundabout, townhouses built around a circular garden and spring water, the first kitchens in Britain to have water. Also passed the Jane Austen Centre but no one was into her writing so we didn’t venture in to see a snapshot of life during the Regency Times or play dress-up for photos.

It is after 1pm our tour ends our guide Richard was very informative and kept us entertained, now with weary bones plus the rain has now set in exploring is out of the question which is a pity as Bath is a very beautiful city.

Between showers we manage to view the Parade Gardens but didn’t venture to the Pulteney Bridge or the bridge at Prior Park apparently two of Bath’s most prized Palladian possessions, a romantic rarity in the modern world. We were too tired cold and getting wet from the rain.

Finally found the trail by the River Avon to quickly cycle back to the Bath Marine Park to beat the rain, the black clouds are looming over the hills. One quick stop to watch a narrowboat navigate the lock on the river, reminded us of the Panama Canal.

Nice to be back in our warm motorhome with the heater on having a cuppa, bikes washed and on racks ready for us to leave tomorrow for Cardiff the capital of Wales.