70
Above Half-timbered houses lend charm to the
picturesque village of LacockBelow Pulteney Bridge, designed by Robert Adam, spanning the River AvonA two-hour walking tour
From Avon Street Car Park, walk along
Broad Quay and Dorchester St, past
the railway station and up Manvers St
to reach Orange Grove. Turn left here
down York St for Abbey Churchyard.
The small piazza is grandly overlookedby the tall façade of Bath Abbey 1
(open Mon–Sat & Sun pm), mainly 16th-
century with a magnificent fan-
vaulted ceiling. To one side are the
Roman Baths 2 (open daily), built on
natural hot springs between the first
and fifth centuries AD and displaying9 Bath
Somerset; BA1 1SU
With its golden-hued terraces around a vast natural amphitheatre, Bath
is one of England’s most congenial cities. At its heart, the Roman Baths
and the Abbey are the most compelling of the many attractions to be
appreciated on a stroll. Its maze of lanes lined with smart boutiques will
tempt shoppers; gastronomes will savour the range of great restaurants,
and culture addicts will enjoy the year-round programme of festivals.7 Lacock
Wiltshire; SN15 2LG
Meticulously preserved by its owners,
the National Trust, this village has half-
timbered houses and a predominantly
sleepy flavour. Its unspoiled air has led
to many appearances in TV and film
productions, including The Other
Boleyn Girl and the Harry Potter films.
At one end of the main street is the
cloistered Lacock Abbey (open Mar–
Oct: Wed–Mon pm), founded in 1232
and gracefully converted into a home
after the 16th-century Dissolution of
the Monasteries. A separate museum
(Feb–Oct: open daily; Nov–Jan: open Sat &
Sun) features the work of photography
pioneer William Fox Talbot (1800–77).
ª From Lacock turn left onto A350 to
Melksham. Take B3107 to Bradford-on-
Avon. Cross the bridge, bear right, and
park by the tithe barn on the right.8 Bradford-on-Avon
Wiltshire; BA15 1LF
Rising up from the river, this engaging
town deserves a lingering visit. The
wealth earned from the cloth trade is
evident in the historic buildings, such
as the Anglo-Saxon Church of St
Laurence, possibly founded in AD 705
and the early 14th-century Tithe Barn,
used to store food owed to the church,
and one of the oldest in England. See
the Norman bridge – with two original
pointed arches – but rebuilt in the 17th
century, and enjoy a stroll along the
River Avon and the Kennet and Avon
Canal or hire a boat from MV Barbara
McLellan (Mar–Oct; Wharf Cottage, BA15
1LE; 01225 868 683; http://www.katrust.org).
ª Exit west on B3108, turn right on A36
and left to Claverton Down. Turn left,
then right down Widcombe Hill into
town. Cross the river and go left to park.BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150WHERE TO STAYBRADFORD-ON-AVON
The Swan Hotel moderate
Stylishly refurbished rooms offset the
traditional exterior of this cosy hotel,
which has broadband and flatscreen
TVs. There’s a good restaurant, too.
1 Church St, BA15 1LN; 01225 868 686;
http://www.theswan-hotel.co.uk
BATH
Apsley House Hotel moderate
Antiques adorn this stately house built
in 1830. Some rooms have four-poster
beds, and there is a garden suite. The
hotel is located just over 2 km (1 mile)
west of the city centre.
Newbridge Hill, BA1 3PT; 01225 336
966; http://www.apsley-house.co.uk
Tolley Cottage moderate
This Victorian B&B with just two small
but bright rooms lies a 10-minute walk
from Bath’s centre. Breakfasts can be
taken on the patio in fine weather.
23 Sydney Buildings, BA2 6BZ; 01225
463 365; http://www.tolleycottage.co.uk
Royal Crescent Hotel expensive
Stay in the best address in Bath – the
Royal Crescent. Rates are high, but a
luxurious stay is assured, and the facilities
and restaurant are rightly acclaimed.
16 Royal Crescent, BA1 2LS; 01225 823
333; http://www.royalcrescent.co.ukVISITING BATH
Parking
There are car parks off Charlotte Street
and Avon Street. Or use the “Park and
Ride” and leave your car on the outskirts
and catch a bus into the centre.
Tourist information
Abbey Churchyard, BA1 1LY; 0906 711
2000; http://www.visitbath.co.uk
Thermae Bath Spa
Hot Bath St, BA1 1SJ; 01225 331 234;
http://www.thermaebathspa.com; 9am–
10pm (last entry 7.30pm) daily