Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BATH
Bath was known by the Romans, who were here for 400 years, as
Aquae Sulis
- the
waters of the sun - and it was the hot springs that brought the city its initial fame.
However, when the Saxons arrived they found the place 'a ghostly ruin', and set about
rebuilding it. It was the Saxons who founded the abbey (subsequently replaced by
a Norman cathedral), and in
AD
973 Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, crowned the
first King of all England here. After the magnificent abbey and nearby Roman baths,
Bath's main interest lies in the architectural splendour of the Regency period. Tourist
information: Abbey Chambers, Abbey Churchyard, Bath 0906 711 2000 - calls cost
50p per minute.
Bear left round The Circus and leave it by way of Brock Street. At the
end of Brock Street turn left down a footpath, then right at the first junc-
tion onto Gravel Walk which leads below the Royal Crescent. From the end
of Gravel Walk turn left, then right to pass the Victoria Monument. Now
bear right on a road alongside the Royal Victoria Park. Cross Weston Road
and continue by way of a fenced footpath climbing alongside a golf course.
Emerge from this into a street called Sion Hill where you turn left and
wander along until you reach Summerhill Road. Go left again and, at the
end of Summerhill Road, find a descending alleyway-cum-path, the steep-
ness of which is eased by steps and a handrail.
On coming to a road (Primrose Hill), cross over and continue down an-
other steep enclosed footpath, pass the top of another road, and go along
a track to a metal kissing gate. Waymarks take you through a meadow,
then through another kissing gate on the left to descend a path among
trees alongside Primrose Hill Water Treatment Works. Continue down a
short service road to Purlewent Drive, which you cross to an enclosed tar-
mac footpath leading directly into Church Road. Go through the church-
yard of All Saints Church, and emerge into Church Street, in Weston (grid
ref: 731664).
Leave Church Street by going half-left to the High Street, over a traffic
island and into Anchor Road. Walk uphill until you come to a large playing
field on the right. Enter and cross this, walking more or less parallel with
the road, to find a kissing gate leading out of the other side. Ascend the
steep grass slope ahead, then veer right to locate the trig point on Penn
Hill, the first countryside hill of the walk.
Continue ahead and follow the right-hand hedge to a stile. Keep along
the top edge of a sloping meadow as far as a lane by Pendean Farm, and
