Bath History

Bath found fame in Roman times when the warm springs of mineral rich water from the Mendips were cultivated for the Roman baths. King Edgar was crowned here in 973 and just over one hundred years later Bath was merged with the See of Wells to become Bath & Wells.

The town flourished through the Middle Ages but developed into the place we recognise today when Dr. William Oliver built a bath for the treatment of gout. People started flocking in and John Wood’s architecture became a showpiece of the regency style.

A flamboyant socialite called Beau Nash put Bath on the map with the wealthy and fashionable London set, bringing money and kudos and turning Bath into 'the' place to be. Gainsborough made a name for himself as a portrait and landscape artist here and the city features in many literary works by authors such as Jane Austen.