Babs does Bath – 1
Last weekend I spent a lovely couple of days in the gorgeous city of Bath. As my home town while growing up, I already knew my way around though was looking forward to seeing how much had changed, and hoping that the overall spirit and beauty had not.
And of course it hasn’t. Bath is somewhere that, having revisited with fresh yet more experienced eyes, I would recommend to anyone wanting a city break – really, it is lovely. And there are loads of things to do – culture, shopping and relaxing.
One of the main eyesores “when I were a kid” was the Southgate shopping centre – it certainly did nothing to complement the overall Cotswold stone, Georgian style. But what a surprise to find that the whole area has been rebuilt, using the same stone and style as much of the city – it was a treat and a happy surprise. Rarely have I seen a redevelopment improve an area so beautifully and blend with the existing architecture. I was not going to bother looking, but had met a friend for coffee and he insisted I visit – thanks Stuart (who knows how to show a girl a good time, taking her shopping in M&S for nighties – not for me, I might add…).
It was a treat to myself to stay in an apartment in the famous Royal Crescent – I’m not one for hotels and wanted to have my own space for flopping if I wished – this was a very rare break, after all – and I don’t generally “do” shopping (though managed a dozen bijou bags-worth 
but more on that tomorrow). And I will book another apartment for the Christmas market later in the year, when I hope my sister will join me. This is something we will make an annual treat – just us two, sans-kids, enjoying our old home town and each other’s company.
So my shopping trip started at the top of Milsom Street – long recognised as”the posh end”, and you should have seen my smile when I saw Jolly’s still going strong – a department store never visited as a kid – too posh! Then past what used to be Owen Owen – an independent (I think) department store where I held a couple of Saturday jobs – mostly enjoying the haberdashery department – now divided into several high street stores, nicely done. And into the passages, through to the Guildhall for a special fair…
To be continued…
About BabsBabs runs The Blogmistress to help people use WordPress for their websites and/or blogs. Here on Birds however she lets loose on just about any subject other than WordPress! Follow her on twitter
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14 Responses to Babs does Bath – 1
All that jazz – All in A Day
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When we went there recently, they were doing lots of rebuilding (I think, perhaps, of the shopping centre you're referring to) so it wasn't as attractive as it appears to be now. But I do love Bath. My husband used to live there when he was younger.
I was quite disappointed by how tatty the Royal Crescent seems to have become, though. I was sure we had gone to the wrong crescent, to show to our American visitors.
Bath sounds like a beautiful place – I'm ashamed to say I've never been there. Have often seen its exit on the M4 and waved as I went by on my way to work in Bristol … next time, will definitely stop off!
Twitter: SuzeStMWrites
I remember once having a lovely dirty weekend in Bath (that sounds like an oxymoron!)
Twitter: evenbreak
LOL – if it's a really dirty weekend, Jane, no point going to Bath…
I did lose my virginity in Bath, but that was not lovely
Twitter: babssaul
You must, Suze – it is a treat. Perhaps we could do a Birds do Bath weekend – now there's a thought…
Twitter: babssaul
It seemed pretty up-together last weekend, busy with tourists as ever (the downside to renting an apartment on the ground floor, next door to the hotel!) – perhaps they polish it all up for the summer.
Twitter: babssaul
I read that as 'in the Bath”… I had to stop and re-read. I nearly fell off the chair
We had a client in Bath who was doing a lot of renovating, on a weekly basis we would be delivering there. It was one of our more popular jobs, one that I even went on to 'observe' the drivers and meet the the Client.
It's a beautiful place, hopefully we'll spend more time there as the children are getting older and are not as hard to entertain.
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It would likely have been more comfortable in the bath, Sarah – but that's all for another post…
Twitter: babssaul
I mis-read that the same way too! Choked on my coffee!
Twitter: maverickny
We went to Bath for our honeymoon, so will always be a special place for us
Twitter: NitaJoyDesigns