Bath – a City Waiting to be Explored in 2014

With new reasons to visit and so much to see and do, Bath is a must-see destination in 2014. Here are five reasons to pay the historic city a visit in the new year…

Celebrating 300 years of the Georgians

Bath has a staggering 5,000 listed buildings and offers the most impressive Georgian architecture in the country with iconic sights such as the Royal Crescent and Circus which have been recognised by UNESCO, awarding Bath with its prestigious World Heritage Status. In 2014 it will be 300 years since the beginning of the Georgian era – a period that transformed Bath’s society, architecture and history. Bath’s legacy to the Georgian’s can be explored at many of the city’s attractions such as No. 1 Royal Crescent, the Jane Austen Centre, the Herschel Museum of Astronomy and the Fashion Museum. There are also many buildings such as the Pump Room and the Assembly Rooms that are beautifully and fully restored. Bath was a centre for portrait painting in the late 18th century and many of the best portrait painters at the time came to Bath, most notably Thomas Gainsborough, who worked here for many years. His magnificent portrait of Captain William Wade is featured at the Victoria Art Gallery. The Holburne Museum also holds works by Thomas Gainsborough as well as other notable Georgian painters.

New exhibition at Fashion Museum

To celebrate 300 years since the Georgians, look out for Fashion Museum’s special exhibition, Georgians: 18th century dress for polite society (25 January 2014 – 1 January 2015). The new exhibition will present a selection of the finest fashions worn by those attending Assemblies, and other glittering occasions of 18th century life. As Bath grew in popularity in the 18th century, there was a need for a grand Assembly Room in the fashionable upper town, and in 1771 the New Rooms opened to the public. Today, the New Rooms are known as the Assembly Rooms and are the location of the world-famous Fashion Museum. The exhibition will feature over 30 original 18th century outfits and ensembles from the museum’s world-class collection as well as 18th century-inspired fashions by five top fashion designers: Anna Sui, Meadham Kirchhoff, Vivienne Westwood, Stephen Jones, and Alexander McQueen.

New spa hotel to open

A unique spa hotel using Bath’s special thermal waters is due to open in spring 2014. The Gainsborough Hotel has been busy developing one of Bath’s city-centre Georgian buildings into a luxurious place to stay, offering guests a chance to experience the only natural thermal spa within a hotel in the UK. Healing waters are the city’s most celebrated asset and the hotel’s spa – Spa Village Bath – focuses on just that. Encompassing two levels, the 1,300 square metre spa will feature an apothecary, natural thermal water pools, an ice chamber, sauna, steam room, movement studio, fitness centre, 11 treatment rooms, and therapeutic treatments inspired by the local thermal waters.

Anniversary of Admiral Arthur Phillips

2014 will mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Admiral Arthur Phillips. Phillips commanded the historic First Fleet which took 760 convicts on an unparalleled voyage to Australia. During the eight month journey it was his seamanship, leadership and wise provisioning that ensured the Fleet arrived in New South Wales with the best possible chance of founding a successful colony. Phillips was the first Governor of New South Wales, and founder of the settlement which became Sydney. He ended his days in his adopted home in Bath and is buried at St Nicholas Church in Bathampton – a village just outside of the city. There is also a monument to Phillips in Bath Abbey.

Diary dates for exciting festivals and events

Bath always has a huge number of festivals and events taking place and 2014 will be no exception! Dates are currently being set for some of the city’s most exciting events. Highlights to look out for include the Bath Literature Festival (28 February – 9 March); Bath in Fashion (3 to 10 May); the Jane Austen Festival (12 – 20 September); the Great Bath Feast (October – dates TBC); and Bath Christmas Market (27 November – 14 December).