Bath Abbey, Roman Bath and Temple

Another beautiful day! The locals are so happy! Everyone is talking about the nice weather. This is a good day for walking. I will say Bath has bus routes everywhere around and they run constantly but I opted to burn off a few calories and stretch out the kinds from yesterday’s exicitng train ride.

The Apple Maps walking routes seem to be pretty reliable but of course, I deviate to see other things. That is what it means to be a happy wanderer.

First stop is at the Church of St. John the Evangelist. Of course, we just completed studying the Gospel of John in BSF, so I have to top here! A very beautiful old church situation overlooking the River Avon, it has high ceilings, lovely stained glass and that smell of old wood and what? A pleasent smell that I find in many old churches. 

I stopped for a bit and prayed then looked over the fence to the river. Just at the end of the cul de sac and over the fende is a hidden garden. It must be accessed from one of the townhomes across the road. It was tidy and with chairs. Someone has a restful place to sit and relax.

Bath Abbey

A definite tourist stop, I managed to get in between tour groups to wander about on my own. That works perfectly for me. And as it happens, there is a service that has just started! So I join in the service which was really nice. It is an Anglican service and there is a book with all the prayers and responsive readings written out. The minister gave a really nice message about God looking on our hearts. I took communion with them as well. The minister in this case was a women, in robes, and as we left I wasn’t sure how to address her as I don’t know the titles used in the Anglican church. As she conducted the entire service, I’m sure she was the equivalent of a priest but priestess didn’t sound just right so I addressed her as Sister. Maybe that wasn’t right; I shall have to look it up. But we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, right?

The Abbey has a long history and I am sure these walls could tell many stories. I am guessing it is quite expensive to maintain so tourism helps out. There was a tower you could also climb but I opted out of that, thank you!

Roman Baths

The Romans were such amazing engineers! I am always astounded by the feats they performed 2000 years ago. Of course, much of the hard work was done by slaves, but still to even have the understanding of how to design and build these structures always makes me realize how much knowledge existed in these ancient cultures. Sometimes today I think we rely on machines too much and have lost the knowledge and skills to create without them!

Built by the Romans in c. 70 AD, it was an elaborate site for gatherings of all classes and various spa treatments. They believed it to having curative properties so it served many purposes including just a place to socialize.

After the Romans left Britain it fell into disuse and was eventually forgotten and buried until the 1870’s when re-discovered and excavated. 

Fed by a natural hot spring, the Romans constructed a series of sluce gates and drains to harness the hot springs, control overflow and also keep the water fresh and clean. Even still I can’t imagine bathing with people who have open sores like leprosy, gangrene or boils! Ugh!

I read some reviews where people said don’t waste your 22GBP to see this but I disagree. I think it is well worth it and the museum is very well done.