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Loading ...HOLIDAYS IN ENGLAND - SPA TOWNS
Bath Spa
In this article, first of a series, Travel Advice Pages looks at some of the less conventional places, well worthy of a visit in the UK. Take a closer look at the historic British Spa Towns. Beginning two thousand years ago in Roman times and later in the 18th Century, ‘the taking of the waters,” in these towns became a passion of the aristocracy and the wealthy. The towns grew into elegant resorts with social activities, continuing to this day.
There are some 21 spa towns in England, 5 in Wales and 1 in Scotland. Here we feature the first two of a planned series.
Bath
116 miles west of London is the City of Bath designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is the only hot springs spa in the UK. The city has some of the finest architectural buildings in Europe. “The Royal Crescent” with its imposing sweep of 30 terraced Georgian houses was built by John Wood the Younger between 1767 and 1775.
“The Circus” in the centre of Bath is the masterpiece of John Wood the Elder. Wood is said to have taken his inspiration from Soloman’s Temple in Jerusalem.
“Pulteney Bridge,” together with the Ponte Vecchio in Florence is considered one of the world’s most beautiful bridges. It is one of a handful of bridges in the world with shops on it.
“The Roman Baths” are the heart of this Heritage Site and built around the UK’s only hot spring. This is a magnificent Roman Temple and bathing complex still fed with natural hot water.
“The Jane Austen Centre” is one of many city museums, celebrating Bath’s most famous resident. Quaint tea rooms, a modern shopping centre and a lively nightlife add to the many attractions of this spa city.
Buxton Spa
Buxton, in Derbyshire, is located close to the County boundary of Cheshire to the west and Staffordshire to the south. Built on the River Wye and overlooked by Axe Edge Moor, Buxton has a long history as a spa town. Each summer, the various wells are decorated in the tradition of “Well Dressing” and the Well Dressing Weekend has developed into a lively town carnival.
The Dukes of Devonshire have been closely involved in Buxton since 1780 when the 5th Duke used profits from his copper mines to develop the town in the style of Bath. There are few towns in the North of England with such a diversity of architecture, with the grandeur of the 18th Century, the Victorian opulence of Romanesque styles and early Northern Arts and Crafts.
“The Crescent“ built in 1780-84 by John Carr, was modelled on Bath’s Royal Crescent and housed two hotels, seven lodging houses, stables and a town house for the Duke of Devonshire. A slate dome was erected by Robert Rippon Duke in 1882 for the Royal Devonshire Hospital. Over 150 feet in diameter and larger than the one in St Paul’s Cathedral, London it is the largest unsupported dome in the UK.
Recently the spa, in the 18th Century Hydropathic Hospital has been re-opened offering treatments and training for therapists.
Much admired is the “Buxton Opera House,” designed by Frank Matcham in 1903 who was also responsible for The Coliseum, the Palladium and the Hackney Empire Theatres in London. It is attached to the Pavillion Gardens with its 23 acres of gardens and ponds opened in 1871.
“The Natural Baths” designed by Henry Currey sit on the site of the original Roman Baths and were opened in 1854. The building contains the largest stained glass window in Britain.
“The Pump Room“, also by Currey was built in 1884 and is situated opposite The Crescent. Visitors were able to “Take the Waters,” until 1981.
“The Old Hall Hotel,” is one of the oldest buildings in Buxton. It was owned by the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury. He and his wife were the “jailers” of Mary Queen of Scots who took the waters in Buxton until 1584. The present structure dates from 1670.
Known as “The Gateway to The Peak District,” Buxton is surrounded by the magnificent scenery of the Peak District National Park and is the highest spa in Britain. Two attractions are the stately home-”Chatsworth House“ Built in the 1550’s, this house became the “prison” of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1568. Her custodian being the 6th Earl Of Shrewsbury. “TheNational Tramway Museum” at Crich, houses many exhibits from the age of trams, including a horse-drawn tram from 1874 and a steam tram trailer which entered service in 1894.
Buxton also hosts four major festivals each year. Of these, the Buxton Festival, founded in 1979 runs for two weeks in mid-July.
We hope you will consider Spa towns on your next visit to England and not just take in all the delights of London. England has so much more to offer.
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