bath

Bath is a city in Somerset, England, on the River Avon. It is noted for its natural hot springs and the ancient Roman baths. The warm mineral waters have drawn visitors since Roman times and shaped the city’s development into a spa town. The name Bath derives from the springs and the site’s long association with bathing.

The Roman Baths are a preserved ancient complex around the springs, while Bath Abbey, a medieval church, anchors the city’s historic center. The city is renowned for its Georgian architecture, notably the Royal Crescent, The Circus, and other early 18th-century terraces laid out under John Wood the Elder and John Wood the Younger.

Bath’s historic core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 1987). The designation covers the well-preserved Roman remains and the entire city center with its 18th-century plan and architecture. The Bath area also hosts institutions such as the University of Bath and Bath Spa University, and museums including the Fashion Museum and the Holburne Museum.

The modern economy centers on education, tourism and service industries. Bath is connected by Bath Spa railway station with services to London and Bristol; road links include the M4 corridor. The city is near the Cotswolds and is accessible from London by rail. Climate is temperate, with rainfall spread across the year.