Historical Bath: The Making of the City

Bath’s renown as an international tourist destination is built on the passion of a handful of visionary people, whose achievements still echo through the United Kingdom. On this walking tour, I’ll share stories about the people who shaped the city, from Welsh lawyer and dandy, Richard “Beau” Nash, to Italian composer Venanzio Rauzzini.

The tour begins at the main railway station, Bath Spa. From there, you’ll make your way towards the city centre, passing Bath Abbey and the famed Pump House whose hot water spa gives the city its name. As you head down iconic streets like Bath Street and Trim Street, I’ll point out the over 200-year-old Theatre Royal, and Queens Square, the regal gardens perfect for high society promenading. You’ll cut through the authentically restored Georgian Garden on your way to the city’s famed Royal Crescent, a stylish enclave of terraced houses.

While you make your way back via grand Milsom Street, you’ll hear about medieval kings and clergymen, modern-day entertainers, classical artists, and ambitious businessmen with ties to Bath. I’ll also tell you about the visionary architects responsible for Bath’s iconic architecture, the king whose desire for divorce almost led to the downfall of Bath’s Abbey, and the 10-year-old painter who single-handedly supported his family but still died in poverty.

The tour ends at the opulent Guildhall and the famed Pulteney Bridge.

On this 75-minute Bath walking tour, you’ll:

• Find out about the pleasure-seeking prince with an era named after him, and Edgar the Peaceful, the first ruler of unified England who was crowned here
• Listen to stories about the self-appointed ”Master of Ceremonies” for Bath’s high society, who didn’t always practise the values he preached
• Discover why Bath was targeted by World War II bombers despite having no military value
• Hear about the two famous literary creators whose works were inspired by Bath
• Be amazed by the British-German scientist who spent a few years in Bath, where he discovered a planet with his homemade telescope
• Learn about the postman who became a wealthy Member of Parliament and spent all his money building some of the city’s famed architecture

This tour is a great introduction to Bath’s sights and the people who left their mark on the city. I look forward to sharing with you the stories of all their achievements and misadventures!