#OMGB Great Value Travel to London – Day 5

Edgar Town House, City of Bath, Roman Bath and Brasserie Brunel at The Royal Hotel

Day 5 Summary

• Breakfast at Edgar Town House
• Roaming the streets of Bath
• Roman Bath
• Lunch at The Royal Hotel
• Depart for London Heathrow Airport

The Edgar Townhouse

It’s my last day on our Great Value Britain escapade… that was my first thought when I woke up. The trip has been so amazing and I was feeling a little sad that today’s the last day. I slept really well at Edgar Townhouse. I looked around my room and smiled because I really like my room at this BNB.

The Edgar Town House is my favorite hotel in this whole trip. The room is very nicely decorated in muted grey and neutrals with bright spots of colors. My bed was frim and so comfortable. They also have a fan which makes the room nicely breezy and cool. I highly recommend Edgar Town House if you are in Bath.

After a quick shower and all packed up, I headed downstairs for breakfast to join the others.

The dining area at Edgar Town House is not big but cozy. They prepare your main breakfast fresh-to-order but one can also help themselves to other snacks and light breakfast treats such as yoghurts, pastries, cereals, tea and coffee.

I opted for Smoked Salmon with Bacon and two Sunny Side Eggs. What a treat!

Though Edgar Townhouse is not big like other hotels, they do have a nice living room area where one can also use their computer. I like the high ceilings and all their minimal but stylish décor. The BNB is also located in one of the main streets in Bath so one can walk pretty much everywhere easily.

The Edgar Townhouse

64 Great Pulteney St,

Bath BA2 4DN,

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 1225 420619

Website: www.edgar-townhouse.co.uk

City of Bath

As it was Easter Sunday that day, the streets were quiet as we took an early leisure stroll to some of Bath’s attractions which was nearby. There was barely anyone and most shops were closed while there was hardly any cars on the road too.

I love the architecture of the buildings in Bath. There is something really elegant and mesmerizing about the wide streets filled with long stretches of various buildings that stood out against the gorgeous cornflower blue sky.

We also couldn’t resist peeking into shops to check out their wares. From majestic and glam masks to lots of jewelry pieces and fashion, we also came across small cafes serving luscious looking treats!

Roaming the streets of Bath with partner-in-crime, Alice. We couldn't resist taking a photo with a classic red British postbox!

Now even with all the gorgeous buildings on the quiet street, it certainly didn’t prepared me for this magnificent sight of Bath by the river side! Utterly mesmerizing with grace and charm, the view of Pulteney Bridge on the resplendent curved weir along River Avon is priceless and postcard perfect.

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of Bath took my breath away as Alice and myself stood there watching and soaking up this fabulous moment. Even when we knew we were way behind the others, we just wanted to make the most of the few minutes that we have of that stunning view of Bath…

I am pretty sure that there are even more amazing sights waiting for me as I strolled on to catch up with the others who are already walking towards another site filled with amazing Gregorian architectural buildings.

Rent a bike to cycle around Bath is a very good option or simply opt for the Bath City Sightseeing bus to see the city of Bath.

Bath Abbey

Listed as The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Wikipedia, it has such majestic Gothic architecture that many stood there to take photos of the 7th century building, including me!

I would have loved to visit the Bath Abbey however, it was closed due to the Easter Sunday holiday.

Bath Abbey

Bath BA1 1LT,

United Kingdom

Website: www.bathabbey.org

Bath Information Centre

Near the Bath Abbey, there is also the Bath Information Centre. We did a quick stop to get some information there as well as to check out some souvenirs.

Don’t the Paddington Bears looked utterly adorable?

Bath Visitor Information Centre

Abbey Chambers

Abbey Churchyard

Bath BA1 1LY

Tel: +44 (0) 844 847 5256

Email: tourism@bathtourism.co.uk

Website: www.visitbath.co.uk

Roman Baths

Then we headed over and visited one of the main attractions – The Roman Baths. This historical site is a well-preserved Roman site of natural hot spring for public bathing few centuries ago. It was indeed packed that Sunday as everyone seemed to have the same idea in visiting the Roman Baths. Ticket was £15.00 for adult. If you are in a group or family, there are some special rates available.

The main ticketing entrance room was beautiful with high dome ceiling and marble columns and gold trims as well as plenty of windows to allow natural lighting. Grab a handheld audio guide with various language and you are good to go on the tour.

Constructed around 70 AD, I must agree that the Roman Baths is very well preserved as stated. There is an aura of mystic surrounding the main Great Bath. Through rays of sunlight, steam arises from the natural hot spring. People back then believed that this place was created by the gods though today, it’s actually science that explain how this place had their natural hot spring. Imagine 2,000 years ago, the Romans once bathed in this natural thermal hot spring. Today, one can only just admire this in order to preserve the whole place.

After roaming ground level of the Great Bath, I went up to the upper level to admire it from there. There were lots of statues carved by sculptor George Anderson Lawson that overlooked the Great Bath and since it was gorgeous weather, the whole area looked stunning against the blue sky.

I also headed through the lower ground where the Sacred Spring was. Said to be a place of veneration for local people before the Romans came, the Sacred Pool is also where the spirit of Goddess Minerva dwelt and the hot waters were used by the Romans to supply the baths.

There was also a display of the remaining Temple of Pediment that once stood in front of the Temple of Sulis Minerva. There is a central image of a Gorgon’s head that looked so detailed and real that it gave me goosebumps.

A theatrical mask sculpt in local Bath stone that really stood out against the red wall…

There is also an enchanting bronze head of the goddess Sulis Minerva discovered in 1727.

Roman Baths has certainly been an eye opener for me. I went to Bath without any expectation and minimal research but stood in awe of this amazing UNESCO Heritage site. There are plenty of more places and attractions in Bath that warrants a visit so plan your trip and soak in as much beauty of Bath as you can…. I hope to be back again to see Thermae Bath Spa, The Royal Cresent, The Circus, Royal Victoria Park, Stonehenge and more…

Time was not our friend that day as we were to move on to lunch as we had to catch our train to the London Heathrow soon.

Brasserie Brunel at The Royal Hotel

A quick brisk walked through the modern shops along the area and we arrived at The Royal Hotel where we were supposed to dine at a French style brasserie in the hotel. Named after the building’s architect Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Brasserie Brunel is a tribute to him. The restaurant is designed to model a classic Parisian brasserie with lots of rich orange, burgundy and gold as well as crystal chandeliers.

To travel on a budget, always looked out for restaurant specials and that Easter Sunday, we all opted for a traditional Sunday Roast of chicken, potatoes and Yorkshire pudding at £8.95.

Brasserie Brunel

Manvers St,

Bath BA1 1JP,

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 1225 463134

Website: www.royalhotelbath.co.uk

After lunch, Alice and myself headed back to Edgar Townhouse to grab our luggage and headed to Bath train station to head for London Heathrow airport using the Heathrow Express.

It was time to head home… I have never thought that travelling to UK would be so affordable. The trip really changed my mind and now I know that it takes really good research and planning to travel on a budget. Most things seemed impossible in life but then again, one may not know till one puts their mind into chasing after what you love. 

I am glad I documenting my travels down because I know that later on in life, I will look back at this and be truly blessed of my journey to London…

For more information and to plan your Great Value Travel to London, check out Visit Britain at www.visitbritain.com/malaysia or CIT Malaysia at www.cit.travel/europe/united-kingdom

This trip was made possible by Visit Britain. All stories and comments in my posts are purely derived from my own experiences through the trip.

Great Value Travel to London Stories

Day 1 - London Eye,Skylon Restaurant, Covent Garden, Tuttons Restaurant, Premier Inn

Day 2 – Big Ben,Buckingham Palace, Hache Burgers Camden, Camden Market, Bill’s Restaurant,Lyric Theatre

Day 3 - Pret A Manger,Oxford, Jaime’s Italian, Ashmolean Museum, Portabello Restaurant, MarlboroughHouse Hotel

Day 4 - Cotswold,Moreton-in-Marsh, Tilly’s Tea House, Bourton-on-the-Water, Bath, Rajpoot IndianRestaurant, Edgar Townhouse Hotel

Day 5 – Edgar TownHouse, City of Bath, Roman Bath, The Royal Hotel