Bath and sites nearby

Bath

Bath is a wonderful little tourist town. As a matter of fact it was a tourist spa for the Romans in around 300 AD. The Romans built some great baths and spas around a hot water mineral spring.

Years later in the 1700's the Brits built baths right on top of the old Roman baths. It wasn't until a surveyor dug down and found the Roman baths under the 1700 baths. (Actually in pretty good shape.)

Here are the Roman Baths. (Renovated from the earlier baths)


One of the older houses in Bath. Later the city was built in the 1700's with stone rather than the brick on this house.


Origin of the hot springs




Church right outside Roman Baths

A speculator builder built the Royal Crescent, a place for the wealthy to live and promenade around the square.

The Costume and Fashion Museum

Karen even gets to dress up in the costumes. Here is a British "Hottie"


Yep, you guessed it. Karen would not miss the Jane Austin Center.


The Woodville Bed and Breakfast. (with the cutest grandma for a proprietor .)

Desserts in the Pump House. (How posh!!!)






Typical homes in Bath.

Avebury and Stonehenge

Avebury is much like Stone Hendge - but with more rocks and spread out more

Yes, Stone Hendge is just like in the pictures. However, it is just hanging out there in a field.




Blenheim Palace (Birthplace of Winston Churchill and residence of the Duke of Marlborough)

The story goes that the Duke of Marlboro won a big battle for England (I think back in 1500 or 1600 hundreds.) The Queen rewarded him with a huge amount of money. He spent the money on a great palace. It has been handed down from Duke to Duke through the time. (The current Duke of Marlboro lives in it now.I think he much use the entry fee money to help maintain it. )

It is often referred to as Brittan's version of the Versailles palace in France. Winston Churchill was a cousin to the Duke. His mom was on holiday staying at the Blenheim Palace when Winston was due and he was born in the palace. He spent a fair amount of time in his growing up years visiting and staying at the palace. (I guess military genius runs in families...)










Stratford Upon-Avon (Home town of Shakespeare)
The Shakespeare Theater is being built so they have a temporary spot for the plays.
Karen gets to visit - Ann Hathaway's Cottage (growing up place of his wife)
I guess his house is torn down, so we just get his wife's house.


William Shakespeare is buried in this church in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Avon river next to Royal Shakespeare Theater.

Windsor Castle

This is where the Queen lives during the weekend when she is not at Buckingham Palace. Pretty nice digs.

And off for home after a fun-filled 10 nights in England (along with 2 nights on the plane)