Bristol and Bath

Stayed the night of the 13th June on the outskirts of Bristol as Tessa caught up with friends in Bristol that night.  We only arrived at 5 pm and saw Bristol from the car as we took her into the centre of the city.  A pretty city with rows of lovely Georgian 3 storied houses all made of stone.  The main attraction in Bristol is the Clifton Suspension Bridge over the canal.  We went and saw this on dusk, being told one of the best views of it was from the White Lion Hotel so went and had a drink there and viewed.  Decided we had to drive over it once the lights came on !!

Clifton Suspension Bridge from the Pub.

The bridge again when it got dark

Next morning, Sunday, 14th June, it was off to Bath for the day.  First up was an early lunch at Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House.  I had the famous bun toasted with lemon curd on it, scrumptious, a mixture of the taste of bread, a roll and cake, really light, about the size of a bread and butter plate.  The recipe is over 300 years old.  The building dates back to AD200 when it was thought to have been an Inn or Guest House.  It was rebuilt in 1482 and was used by Sally Lunn from 1700's.  It has a Hanoverian Arch, early Georgian doors, Tudor fireplace and a cantilevered spiral staircase.

Entrance to Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House

Below the Eating House was original kitchen with wood fired oven and other excavations that have been done.

Sally Lunn's original kitchen

The Roman Baths were next on the list, we thought we would take a look at the Bath Abbey next door but the long queue put us off so only saw the outside of it.

Bath Abbey

The Roman Baths date back over 2,000 years and are right in the centre of Bath next to the Abbey.  Excavations are continuing around them.  We wandered around through them listening to a commentary as we went.  It was fascinating.  I will let the photos tell the story.

The Main Roman Bath

The Hot Spring Pool

Notice about the Hot Spring

The Model of the Bath Roman Bath and surrounds

Debs and Tessa beside the Main Bath - "Am I going to push her in ?"

Excavations around the Immersion Pools

We spent at least 2 hours there, a memorable experience.  We had a good walk around Bath giving up a swim in the thermal pool due to lack of time. 

View of the canal and Weir through the centre of Bath

Bridge over the Canal

Next was a visit to the Bath Art Gallery, a combination of traditional and contemporary art, it was interesting.  The last place we had on our ticket was the Bath Fashion Museum and Assembly Rooms, a building with 3 large reception rooms including a large ballroom with amazing chandlers.  There was ballroom dancing happening in it during the visit which was exciting to watch.

The Museum had a display of dresses dating back to the 1750's right up to the present time and a commentary that went with it.  The garments and dresses were amazing, to believe they wore them most days and the intricate sewing on them that they did by hand back then.  There is a large collection stored there and they had many of them on display.

Dresses at the Fashion Museum

On the way back to the car we walked around some of the circle houses in The Circle and around The Royal Crescent where there is a large row of them. 

Row of Circle Houses at The Royal Crescent

Close up of the Circle houses at The Circus.

We left Bath, an amazing city which we could have spent a lot longer exploring at about 5 pm arriving at our accommodation that night near Stonehenge at the The Swan On Stoford, a little country pub, very old with lots of steps and wobbly staircases and floors. 

The Swan on Stoford where we stayed.

Debs and I decided to go looking for Stonehenge, found very few signs to it, even though it was close by.  We were told that now the only way to get to Stonehenge was with the official tour but we had heard you could see it from the main road.  We eventually found Stonehenge and saw it from the road but were unable to stop due to the traffic and no parking along the road.  Debs decided to get up early next morning and did get closer and took this photo.  At least I can say I have seen it !!

Stonehenge from the road