Bath

Farleigh Hungerford Castle

Farleigh Hungerford Castle, located 9 miles from Bath, offers visitors a glimpse of life in the fourteenth century. An audio tour will tell the stories of the Hungerford family, who occupied Farleigh Castle for 300 years. Exploring the castle grounds, visitors will be treated to rare medieval paintings in the chapel, exhibits of past excavations, the chapel gardens and intricately carved lead coffins in the crypt.

Farleigh Hungerford Castle by Nick

Roman Baths

This 2000-year old Roman structure was built around the only hot spring in Britain, extending well under the streets and buildings of modern day Bath. The Roman Bath offers a 2-hour tour with features including the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Bath House and the Museum. The museum boasts artifacts including Roman coins, signet ring gems and the head of the goddess Sulis Minerva. Visitors can dine or have coffee and tea in The Pump Room Restaurant overlooking the baths.

Royal Victoria Park

Royal Victoria Park was opened in 1830 and consists of 57 acres with many attractions that can be enjoyed by all ages. The park includes a large play area for children, an 18-hole golf course and a crazy golf course, a boating pond, tennis courts and beautiful botanical gardens. For refreshments, the park boasts a cafe and numerous ice cream stands.

Royal Victoria Park, Bath by ToNG!?

Bradford-on-Avon

Abbey House Gardens

The Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury offer a beautiful 5-acre wonderland of over 2,000 roses, as well as herbs, irises and tulips. The gardens boast a Celtic knot garden, a laburnum tunnel, a woodland walk that features waterfalls and fish ponds, as well as a quaint tea room overlooking the garden.

Lacock Abbey, Village and Museum

The Abbey was founded in the thirteenth century and was dissolved in 1539. The museum offers the architecture of several time periods, including medieval cloisters and the eighteenth century Gothik hall. After visiting the abbey, take a relaxing stroll through the village and enjoy shopping and dining.

Lacock Abbey, England, UK by Brian Marshall

Longleat Safari & Adventure Park

Voted as the #1 adventure park in the UK, Longleat Safari and Adventure Park will provide a full day of family fun. The park features many wildlife attractions including a meerkat enclosure, cheetahs and a zebra crossing.

Longleat House

The grand Longleat House offers exquisite Elizabethan architecture and opulent gardens. A romantic venue popular with brides and grooms, the Longleat House also offers lodgings to travellers, making it a popular choice. The Old Manor Hotel near Trowbridge is another popular choice for families as the large grounds in which the hotel it finds itseld is ideal for children who need to let off steam . Longleat House features The Green Library with floor to ceiling bookshelves and a grand chandelier, colourful gardens, The Great Hall with sixteenth century features and The Orangery, which overlooks rose-filled gardens.

Longleat House, England, UK by Nigel’s Europe

With much, much more to see in Bath and Bradford-on-Avon, visitors will need weeks to see everything. For visitors with a cultural inclination, Bath is home of the Victoria Art Gallery as well as the Theatre Royal. Bradford-on-Avon offers canal tours and walks, grand historical buildings and the Wiltshire Music Centre.

Jonathan Dedman is a freelance writer based in Canterbury. He loves history and architecture, and can often be found roaming around the grounds of one of the UK’s many beautiful abbeys and cathedrals.

The post Weekend Escapes: Visiting Bath And Bradford Upon Avon For A Family Day Out appeared first on Europe Explored.

Like many towns and cities in the UK, it has Roman origins, which are still clear to see today. The city originally started as a Roman spa, which then grew in to numerous baths (hence the city’s name), and temples.

Roman Baths, Bath, England, UK by Andrew Dunn

The city is still a cultural melting pot, with a plethora of museums, active baths and spas, theatres, pubs, bars and restaurants. There are also two universities located in the city which adds to the vibrant activity and nightlife of the area.

The varied and numerous attractions of Bath take visitors and tourists on a trip through the ages. Some of the more popular attractions include:

Roman Baths – You can still visit some of the original 2000 year old baths that the city was named after. The Roman Baths are Britain’s only hot spring, and thus are of great importance!

Thermae Bath Spa – This outdoor spa allows visitors to swim outdoors in naturally warm waters – this is a novel concept for such a cold country!

Prior Park Landscape Garden – This beautiful 18th century garden allows visitors to explore the luscious grounds and appreciate breath-taking views over the city.

The Botanical Gardens – This section of the 57 acre Royal Victoria Park is a must-see for flower lovers and budding botanists. Over 100 years old, this 9 acre garden features an incredibly impressive range of flowers and plants.

The Pump Room – The Pump Room (where warm bath water is drawn from the earth) has been the social hub of Bath for hundreds of years. It features the finest British cuisine and afternoon tea.

Tyntesfield – This maginificent Victorian country estate encapsulates historic aristocratic Britain. Located in Wraxall, the grounds overlook the stunning Yeo Valley.

Pubs – Bath is full of pubs, catering for all tastes and budgets. From high end gastro pubs, to quaint bars with log fires, there really is something for everyone.

Upper Town – This part of Bath is a shopper’s paradise; filled with quaint boutiques and independent stores, this one is for those who need a bit of retail therapy.

Theatre Royal – Built in 1805, this grand theatre is shows top quality shows year round, including opera, comedy, dance, and concerts; a perfect way to start a romantic evening.

Bath is an incredibly popular destination for both locals and travellers from further afield. There is so much to do that you are guaranteed not to be dissapointed if you visit this historic city.

If you’re planning to spend a long weekend in Bath, don’t forget to check the dates for the uk bank holidays 2013.

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