Day Eight 19th July 2010 - Roman Baths, Bath / Stonehenge

Our journey to Bath allows us a sneak preview of our afternoon stop - Stonehenge.  We are going to the West and the city of Bath.  Aquae Sulis, as the Romans named the city, is famous for its hot springs and its health-giving waters that pour out at a constant 46° c from deep within the earth.  This geographical wonder led the Romans to create one of the finest bath houses in the empire and impressively the baths survive, with the layout of the complex being the centre of the wonderful Roman Baths exhibition.  This museum, recently updated, is superb and well worth spending some time watching and listening. 

After the museum there is time to spend in Bath and as well as some good shopping there is some wonderful architecture to see like the Pulteney Bridge.  Also in Bath are 100 lions (not real) in an array of designs all around the city.  They are here to give visitors a smile but also to raise some money for local charities.  Visit www.lionsofbath.com to find out more.

After time spent in Bath we board the coaches for the 60 minute drive to Stonehenge.  Wiltshire is a county rich in history, particularly that of the Bronze Age but there is no finer monument to those early tribes than Stonehenge. Begun in 2800 BC as far as we can tell it has dominated the landscape since those early days.  Legends have grown up about the henge but there are still many secrets that lie buried like the figures within the burial mounds that surround the landmark.  It is a warm afternoon and there is time to enjoy the scene before we return to Charterhouse.