The Georgian city of Bath England is the most-visited place in the UK after London. Each year it attracts about two million visitors from all over the world. What is it about this small town, which you can easily walk across in less than a day, which is so attractive to so many people?

Let’s start with the obvious – it is well-known that Bath still has a staggering array of Georgian architecture from its building boom in the 18th century. There are also Victorian, Edwardian and modern houses and commercial buildings, but the Georgian centre is astonishingly intact despite the so-called ‘Sack of Bath’ in the late 1960’s and 70’s which saw Georgian streets demolished to make way for new developments.

Walking around the honey-toned streets and crescents of Bath, you can really sense the past, and get an understanding of how people lived in those long-ago times in a way that is simply not possible in other contemporary towns.

Certain significant sites are reputed to have been designed and constructed according to the ancient principles of sacred geometry. Maybe this accounts for the sense of calm and well-being which descends as you wander from Queen Square up Gay Street to the Circus, and then along to the Royal Crescent.

Bath is a green city, in that trees and hills can be seen on the horizon from virtually anywhere in the city. In addition, there are many leafy parks within easy walking reach of the city centre in which to sit and listen to the rustle of the leaves, enjoy the sunshine and watch passers-by as they walk their dogs, carry home shopping or eat their picnics.

The location of Bath England is a favourable one – within a 90 minute train ride of London and close to busy neighbouring Bristol and to the M4 and M5 motorways with quick access to the South West and the Midlands. The coasts of Somerset and Dorset are close enough for a day-trip to the sea, as are the pretty villages of the Cotswolds, the hills of South Wales and the ancient towns of southern England such as Winchester and Salisbury. Less scenic but significant for employment is the M4 ‘Corridor’ to which many hi-tech and communications companies have been attracted in an English version of Silicon Valley.

The city of Bath England is well-known as a festival city – there are events going on here all year round. The world-famous Bath International Music Festival takes place for 2 weeks each year in late spring, and attracts top musicians and orchestras, as well as national radio broadcasters. The Festival of Literature has grown quickly in stature since its inception in the 1990’s and boasts best-selling authors from all genres. There is an atmospheric Christmas market held in the shadow of Bath Abbey each December, a half-marathon, food festivals and sporting events.

Add to this a diverse collection of some of the country’s best independent shops, top-quality restaurants serving food of every kind and every nationality, plus a clutch of pubs which have earned Bath the title of ‘real ale capital’ and you begin to understand the pull this little city has for people within the UK, where it is a favourite weekend destination, and worldwide.

The icing on the cake has now finally been added with the recent opening of Thermae Bath Spa. The controversial project with all its delays and overspending is now complete, and once again visitors and residents are able to bathe in the natural hot spring waters which rise through the earth here. Spa bookings are much higher than predicted and local hotels are reporting brisk business due to interest in the spa. Come along and see for yourself why Bath England has been famous for health and hospitality for over 300 years!

About the Author: Judy Heminsley lived and worked in the Georgian city of Bath England for many years. Her website www.city-of-bath-england.com shares her insider knowledge and provides carefully-selected recommendations on the best things to do and see in this beautiful city.