Rediscover Bath in 2008

In 2007, a consultant undertaking work for tourism marketing organisation Bath Tourism Plus tried to research pre-conceived ideas and perceptions of Bath from people who had never visited the city – and found it was very difficult trying to find enough people for the study!

The stunning UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath welcomes over 4 million visitors a year, and it is easy to see why – breathtaking architecture, intriguing history and heritage, luxurious hotels and a real taste of the highlife welcomes every visitor.

So if you have been before, why come again? ‘Rediscover Bath’ is the new campaign from Bath Tourism Plus, highlighting the fact that Bath is continually renewing and redeveloping, and visitors who come back are sure to find something different – whether that is something brand new or something a bit more unusual and simply new to them…

Renew your love… in the UK’s city of romance
Bath is well known as a romantic city – the beautiful architecture, stunning scenery, sumptuous luxury hotels and wonderful restaurants have, over the years, provided Bath with a well earned reputation as one of the World’s most romantic destinations.

You may have been before with your loved one for a romantic break, but did you take every romantic opportunity this beautiful city bombarded you with? Did you walk hand in hand along 'Gravel Walk' made famous by Jane Austen in her romantic novel Persuasion? Did you climb to the top of Beckford's tower and gasp at the stunning golden city displayed below? You may have taken a romantic walk along the river, but did you take your beloved out on the water and row downriver to a romantic restaurant for an intimate dinner for two?

The picturesque nature of Bath provides a number of wonderful scenes for proposals - perhaps in a hot air balloon over the city, on the horse drawn carriage being driven along the Royal Crescent, or on the stunning Palladian bridge at Prior Park - and with amazing, unique venues like the Roman Baths, steeped in legend and the stunning Assembly Rooms, what better city for a wedding, anniversary or vow renewal..?

From Jane Austen to Keira Knightley… a city of celebrity
Since it's very beginning, Bath has been a city of fashion - a place to see and be seen. When the Georgians built their stunning golden city, they placed at its heart, the Pump Room, where new arrivals in the city would sign a register to announce that they were present, and so that all could see their finery and status. This practice is documented in Jane Austen's writings, and Jane is now referred to as 'Bath's most famous resident' after spending six years here. You may have visited the Jane Austen Centre, but have you tried the new walking tour?

Download the tour free from the website visitbath.co.uk/janeausten and immerse yourself in Jane Austen's Bath for a real taste of Georgian life. Beau Nash, the original master of ceremonies during that time, practically created the concept of celebrity, and the city is still as popular with celebrities today. Drawn by a slower pace of life, the charms of a smaller city, stunning scenery and an ethos of fun and culture, celebrities have been flocking to Bath to set up home in recent years.

Some notable famous people reported to live in the area include Peter Gabriel, Anthony Head, Johnny Depp and Nicholas Cage. Not only do the famous live in Bath, but they work here too - Bath is a celebrated film location, with notable productions including 'Vanity Fair', filmed in 2005 and starring, among others, Bob Hoskins and Reese Witherspoon. Recently, Bath has starred as itself in TV adaptations of Jane Austen classics, and filming has recently been concluded in Bath for 2008's international film 'The Duchess', starring the beautiful and talented Keira Knightley. Experience the locations for yourself, by visiting the stunning Assembly Rooms, Great Pulteney Street and Bath Abbey when you next visit Bath.

A Favourite Destination for Shopping… now and in the future
Recently, a travel writer commented that during his stay in Bath, he spent some time shopping, commenting 'of course, we did - we were in Bath!' This is the opinion of most people who have been to Bath before. The wealth of unique, designer boutiques, mixed with a well stocked high street, and winding cobbled back streets with interesting and curious stores is enough to inspire even the hardiest shoppers. So what is there for those who have 'been there, done that'?

Well, shopping in Bath is currently undergoing a further transformation, with exciting developments at both ends of the city's main shopping centre. On the famous Milsom Street at the north end of the city centre, the designer shopping precinct 'Shire's Yard' is undergoing a complete transformation, and is due to open in spring 2008 as 'Milsom Place'. This will be the location of a number of boutique shops selling designer labels, and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's first Italian restaurant, ‘Jamie’s Italian’.

At Southgate, near to the train station, a whole area once dominated by ugly 1970s buildings (very much out of character for Bath), has been completely demolished, and a new shopping area including 56 shops, cafes and stunning open spaces, all in a style befitting the beautiful Georgian architecture around the city, is planned to be opened from 2009. With new additions like these, there is always something new to come back and explore.

From Roman to Revolutionary… Bath’s spa story
It is often said that Bath has been 'shaped by it's waters'. Not only is this a reference to the River Avon which winds through the city, but also to the city's most important natural resource - it's naturally hot spring water. This hot water has shaped the fortunes of the city throughout its history.

You may have visited the awe inspiring Roman Baths, where the story of the original Roman spa complex is now brought back to life with the use of audio guides, computerised graphics and live interpretation, but have you yet had the chance to experience bathing in the water, once so popular with the city's founders? Now you can - not in those same Roman surroundings, but in the new Thermae Bath Spa, just a few minutes walk from the Roman Baths, in the heart of the city centre. With a range of complementary therapies, an indoor bathing pool, aromatherapy steam rooms and a rooftop pool as it's crown, Thermae Bath Spa is an experience not to be missed, next time you return to Bath.

So, most people have been to Bath at some juncture of their life - to shop, to explore culture or to romance someone special. But don't be fooled into thinking that the city is trapped in time, or that it is a city so well protected it stands still - Bath is developing, and there is always something new to explore, see or do.

To find out more about developments in Bath, what to see and do, and what's on, go to Visitbath.co.uk, where you can start planning your next visit to Bath and Beyond...

Travel to Bath
Bath is easy to access from all over the UK and the world.

High speed, direct train services operated by First Great Western link Bath Spa train station to London and its major airports. Bath Spa train station is well situated, just 5 minutes level walk into the city centre’s main shopping and tourist areas. See: firstgreatwestern.co.uk

Bristol International Airport is just 15 miles from Bath and operates direct flights from New York and Orlando in the USA, as well as most major European and UK airports. An express bus service to Bristol Temple Meads train station operates throughout the day, and Bath is just a 20 minute train journey from there. See: bristolairport.co.uk

Bath is also easy to access by car, from junction 18 of the M4 motorway which links Bath to Bristol, London and South Wales.

There are three Park & Ride services on the outskirts of the city which operate fast, frequent services into the city centre, offering a hassle free, cost effective way of reaching the city centre.