Another accolade for the beautiful City of Bath!! Bath has been named one of the World’s Greatest Places 2021 by Time Magazine and is THE only destination in England to feature on the list!
https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2021/6079219/bath-u-k/
Bath, the largest city in Somerset, is a beautiful city with its stunning Palladian architecture designed by the Georgians to fit perfectly with the surrounding hills. As buying agents we love the city of Bath having assisted over the years numerous buyers with their property search & acquisition.
So why is Bath such a destination of choice? Let’s find out.
Why move to Bath?
The excellent transport links from Bath and the surrounding areas is a key factor in Bath’s popularity, particularly amongst international and London buyers. Bath Spa mainline railway station offers high-speed links to London Paddington (90 minutes), Bristol and the South West. This service will only improve with the electrification of the lines which is currently in progress. The M4 J18 and the M5 provide commuters with excellent connections to London, Bristol, the South West and the North.
Upon arriving in Bath you are immediately struck by the exquisite combination of town and country living with a beautiful and lush canopy of green mature trees which surround the city.
Bath is particularly a great choice for families, with a selection of highly regarded primary and secondary schools as well as 2 universities of excellent reputation. There is much to see and do in the city itself, including the famous Roman Baths museum, visiting the thermal spas, dining in five-star restaurants and shopping, from small independent shops to national chains. There’s something for everyone in this historical city.
Architecture in Bath
The buildings and architecture of Bath reveal significant examples of the architecture of England: from the Roman Baths to the present day. The city of Bath became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 largely because of its architectural history and the way in which the city landscape draws together public and private buildings and spaces. In 2021, the city was added to a second World Heritage Site, a group of historic spa towns across Europe and known as the Great Spas of Europe.
Important and iconic buildings include the Roman Baths, neoclassical architect Robert Adam’s Pulteney Bridge (based on an unused design of the Rialto Bridge in Venice) and Bath Abbey in the city centre. Of equal importance are the residential buildings designed and built into boulevards and crescents by the Georgian architects John Wood, the Elder and his son John Wood, the Younger such as the Royal Crescent built around 1770 or the Circus built around 1760.
Most of Bath’s buildings are made from locally sourced golden-coloured Bath stone. The dominant architecture style is Georgian, which evolved from Palladian revival style that became popular in the early 18th century. Due to its hot springs the city became a very fashionable and popular spa and social centre.
Obviously there is far too much history to go into this article. If you want a summary, from the Romans to the Georgians and beyond, have a look here: https://visitbath.co.uk/
Properties in Bath
Bath oozes with history and is surrounded by the most beautiful countryside which is just minutes from the city centre. Bath and its surrounding villages is consequently highly sought after by national and international buyers alike, not just for its unique lifestyle, but for its renowned schooling both in the private and state sectors.
The city centre comprises of many iconic Georgian buildings that are spectacular in their architecture and settings, and offering lots of character: The classic Bath Georgian townhouses in the Royal Crescent, The Circus and Lansdown Crescent are hugely sought after, as are the archetypal Victorian and Edwardian properties in areas such as Lansdown and Combe Down. Many magnificent apartments and equally impressive townhouses, perfectly suited for families, can be found here and are highly sought after by buyers from all over the world.
The villages surrounding Bath on the Cotswolds and Wiltshire borders are quintessentially English country cottages and period manor houses set on large grounds, in areas such as Freshford, West Kington and South Wraxall – all popular choices for buyers looking for a more rural lifestyle with plenty of green spaces.
Whatever type of property you’re looking for, you are sure to find it in Bath or in its surrounding towns and villages.
Living In Bath
Living in Bath is usually a lifestyle choice rather than a career aspiration. It is about trading the hustle and bustle of big cities (London in particular) for beautiful architecture, safe and peaceful surroundings and cultural diversity in a small city which offers so much. The attraction of this city is such that many wealthy Londoners own a second home, a whole townhouse or an apartment, in some of the most iconic buildings.
Bath is a great shopping destination since the city centre has recently undergone extensive regeneration and been partly pedestrianised around St Lawrence Street: the new Southgate shopping arcade includes big name shops including Apple and Debenhams and providing excellent underground parking for many vehicles. To the North can be found the historic lanes lined with small and independent boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
On the edge of the city there are numerous local and very popular neighbourhoods such as Widcombe and Bathwick that offer a wide selection of amenities such as coffee shops, delicatessen, grocery, as well as convenience stores.
The city also offers a wide selection of restaurants, bars and nightlife with locals favourites including The Ivy, The Circus, or Claytons Kitchen. And of course the world famous Bath Rugby club situated right in the centre at The Recreational Ground.
Green Spaces
For a city famed for its glorious Georgian architecture, Bath has a surprising amount of public green spaces. From beautiful 18th century landscaped grounds to charming community gardens and green parks dotted between the city streets, there is plenty of choice for everyone’s tastes.
Due to its enviable and privileged position surrounded by an area of green belt, Bath is in my view a little jewel! To the north of the city the Cotswolds Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty overlapping the green belt, and where one can find numerous lovely walks particularly around Castle Combe. Other equally popular walk paths include along the river Avon, the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, the Cotswolds Way or the Limestone Link.
Within the city, various green options are also available to indulge your daily stroll: Royal Victoria Park, the green spaces at the Recreation Ground, the Parade Gardens and Primrose Hill. Another must see and visit is Alexandra Park, only 10 mns drive from the centre of town and offering stunning panoramic views of some of the city’s most iconic buildings.
Schools in Bath
The city of Bath offers a high concentration of private schools, including Bath Academy, King Edward’s, Kingswood Prep and Seniors, Monkton Combe School, Prior Park, Paragon as well as Royal High School (girls only) – all of which are very well thought of. There is also an excellent selection of state schools, both primary and secondary such as Beechen Cliff and Hayesfield Girls School.
Finally the city boasts 2 universities, the University of Bath (previously named the University of the Year by The Sunday Times and consistently ranked alongside the top universities in the country) and Bath Spa University (situated just outside the city).
It is difficult not to recognise the attraction of the city of Bath: an ancient city dating back to Roman times and home to the UK’s only natural thermal spa, stunning Georgian architecture with equally stunning towns and villages on the outskirts of the city. It really is a sight to behold hence why it attracts many buyers from the UK and overseas.
Looking to relocate to Bath or the surrounding areas? Please contact Jerome and Claire to see how we can assist you:
T: +44 (0) 117 973 3683
E: info@domusholmes.co.uk
https://domusholmes.co.uk
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