The International Office
Online Handbook
Living in Bath
Local information
Bath is a small city in lovely countryside.
It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Roman baths, a 15th century abbey and elegant 18th century streets, squares and crescents. It's a busy, living city with cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, pubs and restaurants. From Bath, it's easy to explore southern England and London is 90 minutes by train.
To find out more about the city and the countryside visit: www.visitbath.co.uk and www.cityofbath.co.uk
Tourist Information
The Tourist shop is in Abbey Courtyard. It has guide books and brochures and information on events and festivals.
Walking tours
Bath is great to walk around. Do it yourself or join a walking tour. Free walking tours leave from outside the Pump Room, Abbey Courtyard, Sunday to Friday 10:30 and 14:00, Saturdays at 10:30. From May to September there are evening walks on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 19:00. Don't book, just turn up! There is a Ghost Walk (£6.00) and the very silly Bizarre Bath (£5.00).
Open-top bus tours
Buy a ticket (£8.00) and you can hop-on, hop-off a tour bus all day long: www.city-sightseeing.com
Bus travel
Bright Orange
The Bright Orange Bus (numbers 418 and 18) runs between the city and the University. It runs every 6 minutes during term times and makes several stops in Bath including the railway station and the bottom of Bathwick Hill. Buses run to other parts of Bath and many nearby villages and towns.
For timetables routes and tickets visit STA and the Students' Union Shop or www.firstgroup.co.uk
Taxis
Only get into a genuine taxi. Never accept a ride from someone who doesn't have identity plates on the vehicle - you are at risk. There are two different taxis in Bath:
- Hackney Cabs Big TAXI sign on the roof or bonnet, at ranks all over the city and by the railway station. Stop them in the street.
- Private Hire A yellow dome on the roof says 'Advance booking only'. You can't stop them on the street; you must book them by phone. For private hire taxis look in Yellow Pages or visit: www.yell.co.uk
Museums and Galleries
Roman Baths
Abbey Courtyard
Water from the hot springs has been bubbling up from the earth and filling the Roman baths for 2000 years. In the 17th and 18th centuries they became a fashionable cure for illness.
This elegant 18th century room is attached to the Baths and is now a restaurant - but you can have a quick look without eating.
Built between 1499 and 1616 the Abbey is the last great medieval church built in England.
Assembly Rooms/ Museum of Costume
Bennett Street
The rich and fashionable visitors to 18th century Bath danced and entertained at the Assembley Rooms. The museum has costumes from 16th to late-20th centuries.
This typical town house has been carefully restored to appear as it would have done in the 18th century.
The American Museum in Britain
Claverton Manor (very close to campus: turn off Norwood Avenue into The Avenue).
Fifteen American rooms from different times, American textiles and changing exhibitions.
Jane Austen Centre
40 Gay Street
The Jane Austen Centre is an exhibition which tells the story of Jane Austen's Bath experience.
Holburne Museum of Art
Great Pulteney Street
This 18th century building houses a collection of porcelain, antiques and paintings.
Museum of East Asian Art
12 Bennett Street
A fine collection of Chinese, Japanese, Korean and south-east Asian pieces.
The Building of Bath Museum
Countess Of Huntingdon Chapel, The Vineyards
This museum reveals the story behind the development of the Georgian city. Discover how Bath was designed, built and decorated in the 18th century.
Museum of Bath at Work
Camden Works, Julian Road
A reconstruction of Victorian industries.
Victoria Art Gallery
Opposite Pulteney Bridge
Free admission.
Royal Photographic Society Gallery
Fenton House, 122 Wells Road
Changing photographic exhibitions.
Theatres
Theatre Royal
Sawclose
One of Britain's loveliest theatres with a busy programme of drama, comedy, opera, dance and Sunday concerts.
Ustinov Studio
Monmouth Street
A small theatre behind the Theatre Royal, featuring drama, dance, comedy and music.
The Rondo Theatre
Lambridge Buildings, St. Saviours Road
Small professional productions.
Cinemas
Odeon
Kingsmead Complex, James St. West
Eight screens, new films.
Little Theatre Cinema
St Michael's Place
An independent cinema with art-house (including foreign language) and wellknown films.
Public Library
Bath Central Library
above Waitrose
Open: Mon 10:00-18:00; Tues, Wed and Thurs 09:30-19:00; Fri and Sat 09:30-17:00; Sun 13:00-16:00
To become a member of the library take proof of your address in Bath. You will be able to borrow books free of charge. The Library stocks national and local newspapers and magazines.
Parks and Gardens
Bath has great parks. Alexandra Park has panoramic views over the city. Parade Gardens have views over the river and Pulteney Bridge.
Royal Victoria Park is the biggest and has a botanical garden. Sydney Gardens is the oldest; the Kennet and Avon Canal runs through it.
Prior Park Landscape Garden is a National Trust park 2 miles from the University campus. It is a beautiful and intimate 18th century landscape garden with a palladian bridge. Tickets £4.80.
Walking and Cycling
The countryside around Bath is great to explore on foot and by bicycle. Hire a bike from Avon Valley Cyclery behind the Railway Station (Tel: 01225 442442) or visit www.bikeshop.uk.com.
The Bath Skyline Walk is a circular six mile walk with views over Bath. Start near to the University. Get a guide from the Tourist Shop or the International Office. The Kennet and Avon Canal has a path for walkers and cyclists. It goes through Sydney Gardens and into tranquil countryside. There are pubs and cafés on route. Hire a boat at Brass Knocker Basin, Monkton Combe (Tel: 01225 722292).
The beautiful old town of Bradford-On- Avon lies on the canal ten miles from Bath. You can take the train back to Bath from here. Bristol and Bath Railway path follows the River Avon to Bristol, and is ideal for walkers or cyclists.