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Personalized Bath Walking Tour: Experience Georgian Era with Bob, a Local Enthusiast
5.0
286 Ratings
Bath and North East Somerset
This intimate walking tour, led by Bob, is limited to a group of 12 individuals. Bob has called Bath his home for more than four decades. His affection for his city and his wonderful sense of elvity are evident as he paints a vivid picture of not just the notable personages of his city, but also the harsh truths dealt by regular citizens.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Bath - Bob guides you through the heart of Georgian Bath, covering the Abbey Church Yard, Hot Springs, Old City Wall, Mineral Hospital, Queens Square, Roman Baths, Assembly Rooms, Circus, Royal Crescent, Gravel Walk, Pulteney Bridge, Guildhall and Market, and much more.
- Abbey Churchyard - The tour begins at the Abbey Churchyard, in front of the iconic Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, commonly known as Bath Abbey. This Anglican parish church and former Benedictine monastery was founded in the 7th century, reorganized in the 10th century, and rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries.
- The Roman Baths - The Roman Baths are well-preserved thermae in Bath. A temple was built on the site between 60-70AD during the early years of Roman Britain. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the original Roman baths were in ruins a century later. The area around the natural springs was redeveloped multiple times during the Early and Late Middle Ages.
- Royal Mineral Water Hospital - Construction of this hospital began in 1737, marking a new era of faith and scientific belief in the healing properties of Bath’s mineral waters.
- Queen Square - Queen Square is a Georgian square and the first element in Bath’s architectural sequence, which includes the Circus and the Royal Crescent. All the buildings in the square are Grade I listed.
- Assembly Rooms - In the Georgian era, Bath became fashionable, and architects John Wood, the Elder, and his son designed new housing areas for residents and visitors. Early 18th-century assembly rooms were replaced by a new venue for balls, concerts, and gambling between Queen Square, The Circus, and the Royal Crescent. The new assembly rooms opened with a grand ball in 1771 and became the hub of fashionable society, frequented by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and the nobility of the time.
- The Circus - The Circus is a historic ring of large townhouses in Bath, forming a circle with three entrances. Designed by architect John Wood, the Elder, it was built between 1754 and 1768 and is considered a prime example of Georgian architecture. Each segment faces one of the three entrances, ensuring a classical façade is always presented straight ahead.
- No. 1 Royal Crescent - The Royal Crescent is a row of 30 terraced houses laid out in a sweeping crescent in Bath. Designed by architect John Wood, the Younger, and built between 1767 and 1774, it is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the UK and is a Grade I listed building.
- Pulteney Bridge - Pulteney Bridge spans the River Avon and was completed in 1774 to connect the city with the Pulteney family’s land for development. Designed by Robert Adam in a Palladian style, it is unique for having shops across its full span on both sides.
- Bath Guildhall Market - The Guild Hall is an indoor market with interesting stalls. Housed in a beautiful building, the market has been established since 1284.
- Abbey Churchyard - The walk concludes at the Abbey Churchyard, where you can spend as much time as you like discussing Bath’s points of interest with your guide Bob.
What's Included
- 2-hour walking tour included in the price
Location
Abbey Churchyard
The tour starts from the front of Bath Abbey, BA11 1LT
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(286 Ratings)
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Heather_v
Aug 29, 2024
Excellent walking tour - you won't regret booking! - Excellent walking tour with Bob and highly recommend! He brought a delightful sense of humor to the tour and pace was perfect. You can really feel his love for Bath come through in the stories he shares and the spots he highlights. You won't regret booking!
Review provided by Viator
Daniel
Aug 29, 2024
Excellent Tour! - Bob is an excellent, warm, and funny tour guide. Our walking tour which was scheduled for 2 hours went on for an additional 30 minutes as he answered questions and never rushed us. Highly recommended!
Note: This is a slightly hilly walk on cobblestone streets. It is not strenuous, but be advised.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandra_r
Aug 28, 2024
Bob the perfect guide - Bob was a perfect guide. Great sense of humour together with indepeth knowledge of Bath. He answered all our questions and left us wanting to visit Bath again because there is so much more to see.
Review provided by Viator
Virginia_g
Aug 26, 2024
Friendly, knowledgeable, local guide - Bob was knowledgeable and showed flexibility when answering specific questions. He was friendly and kept us moving at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed. We learned about key influential people in the growth of the town, architectural history and a little about the local celebrities of days gone by and more recent ones as well. Thank Bob!
Review provided by Viator
Nan
Aug 26, 2024
Great time. Highly recommend! - Bob really knew his subject matter and communicated it in a fun, colorful manner. I learned lots of Bath history.
Review provided by Viator
Susanna_a
Aug 16, 2024
Bob brings Bath's best! - This is the tour you're looking for! Whatever you want to know about Bath, you'll discover with Bob on his Best of Bath Walking Tours. Knowledgeable, approachable, and witty, Bob not only shows you this fascinating village, but also brings its history to life. His tour is an organic narrative that goes beyond names and dates. A truly enjoyable walkabout.
Review provided by Viator
Mitch_n
Aug 15, 2024
Bob is the Best! - Bob was a great host! He was knowledgeable and fun! We recommend him if you want a nice in depth tour. It will run 2-2.5 hours. Great if you want all your questions answered. Not the tour factory guide that is hired in. A truly memorable experience.
Review provided by Viator
Deb_s
Aug 14, 2024
great tour - Bob is a one man show, which I really appreciate that. He's been doing this tour for over 10 yrs and very knowledgeable of Bath's history. He was very personable and his walking pace was great. I would strongly recommend his tour to anyone
Review provided by Viator
N7703wdtimh
Aug 11, 2024
Great way to experience Bath. - We really enjoyed the time we got to spend with Bob. Bob has a passion for his adopted home of Bath, which is evident in his presentation. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of both ancient and Georgian history, which he enthusiastically shares with visitors. Be sure to wear your most comfortable pair of walking shoes, because even at his ripe age, Bob will out-walk you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Georgia_f
Aug 9, 2024
Bob is the BEST! - Bob was a wonderful and engaging tour guide. He really knows the ins and outs of Bath and it was a pleasure to walk the cobbled streets and hear his stories. I highly recommend this tour guide.
Georgia & Ron Frasch
Review provided by Viator