A Short History of Bath

In turn the Romans built a splendid bathing complex with temples in the city which was then known as Aquae Sulis or "Waters of Sulis".

Legend states that King Arthur defeated the Saxons at the nearby Battle of Mons Badonicus shortly after the Roman departure but in the late 6th century the West Saxons took control of Bath and the surrounding area.

The origin of the present name probably derives from the Saxon Baðum or "at the baths" from around this period. King Alfred was reponsible for the new street layout as by this time the old Roman town was all but obliterated. Bath Abbey was based on an earlier monastic house and King Alfred preserved this area in the form of the Abbey precinct.

In 1088 John of Tours became the first Bishop of Bath and built a much larger cathedral with an adjacent bishops palace. The Cathedral was rebuilt in the 1500s and completed just prior to the the wide ranging religious reforms instigated by Henry VIII.

The city experienced much rebuilding during the Stuart era but it was during the Georgian period that the city expanded massively. Bath became a hugely fashionable spa resort and the builder John Wood was responsible for the construction of elegant streets and squares in the distinctive cream coloured Bath stone.

The 18th century saw the building of Baths famous landmarks: The Lansdown Crescent, The Royal Crescent, The Circus, Pulteney Bridge, Pump Room and Assembly Rooms.

During the latter part of the 20th century Bath gained World Heritage Site status and went on to become one of the most popular tourist cities in Britain.