The Villa Magdala Hotel, Bath, England, UK

         The Villa Magdala Hotel, Bath - 'Two Thousand Years of History'

   

Few cities in Europe can match the appeal of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Bath.

Bath's history is unique in the world and its popularity as a resort dates back some 2,000 years to the Romans, the most famous legacy of this era being the well renowned spa baths. The 18th Century provided Bath with its wealth of beautiful Georgian architecture; the Assembly Rooms and Royal Crescent both splendid examples of the era. With year round appeal, Bath itself offers a wide selection of fine shops, galleries, antiques markets and auction houses.

Elegant and quintessentially English, surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Cotswolds and the West Country, cosmopolitan and vibrant, Bath provides a totally captivating setting for some of the country's finest cultural programmes. For centuries, the city and its surroundings have provided inspiration for many of the greatest writers, poets, artists and musicians of their times including Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Robert Louis Stevenson, Gainsborough and Oscar Wilde.

The Royal Crescent Pulteney Bridge (the only one in Britain with shops on both sides!) is just minutes away
The Royal Crescent Pulteney Bridge

Today, Bath remains a thriving centre of creativity and home to an internationally renowned range of theatres, galleries and arts centres, hosting some of the country's finest festivals. Bath hosts the International Festival of Music, a major Festival of Literature, the Bath International Taste Extravaganza in Summer, the Mozartfest and an exciting new Shakespeare Festival, whilst for the theatre lover the historic Theatre Royal of 1805 offers a year-round programme of both contemporary and pre-West End productions of opera, drama and dance. Classic sights include the Museum of Costume, Royal Victoria Art Gallery and Jane Austen Centre, whilst the contemporary arts are represented by a collection of small modern and fine arts galleries. All are, uniquely, only a level stroll from us.

Breakfast, served daily in the dining room Laura Fountain, at the end the Villa Magdala's Henrietta Road The Theatre Royal, a level stroll away
Breakfast at the Villa Magdala Nearby Laura Fountain The Theatre Royal

And for those wishing to explore, Bath is an ideal location from which to visit the many surrounding areas of interest. The Cotswolds are within easy reach, as are Stonehenge and Avebury circles, Longleat House, Stourhead Gardens, Lacock, Castle Combe and the Cathedral cities of Salisbury and Wells. The Bath Skyline Walk around the valley, and the canal, stretching out into the countryside, are stunning on a sunny day.

The Villa Magdala viewed from Henrietta Park Henrietta Park, just opposite the Villa Magdala, in springtime
The Villa Magdala, and daffodil beds lying across street in Henrietta Park

Of course, amongst the wonderful architecture and world class heritage of Bath, the city offers the finest cuisine in some 80 restaurants, traditional English pubs and clubs, together with spectacular events and great shopping. Indeed, the diversity of the styles of food offered in the array of restaurants make eating out both an adventure and a delight. Bath boasts a wealth of choice from highly acclaimed Michelin Star fame to the more rustic bistro or traditional English pub - there is something for every style of food and for everybody! Your hosts Roy and Lois Thwaites are delighted to offer recommendations and assistance for eating out in Bath.


(L to R) The Kennet & Avon canal; the Villa Magdala; the Holburne Museum of Art, just seconds from us; the Villa Magdala; the Royal Crescent; the Villa Magdala; the Circus
The Villa Magdala and famous views of Bath


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