Bath, Bristol & Wells

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, bursting with Georgian splendours and Roman relics. Regarded as one of England’s most attractive cities, Bath boasts an abundance of honey-coloured architectural wonders – including the iconic Royal Crescent, the Doric-columned Circus, the picturesque Pulteney Bridge, and the regal Theatre Royal. The jewel in Bath’s historic crown is one of the finest examples of Roman religious spas in the world, dating back to 43AD and sited upon natural thermal springs. The view of the unique turquoise waters steaming away in the shadow of Bath’s magnificent Gothic abbey is a sight to behold.

This stunning, Grade 1-listed building gazes down the beautiful, grand avenue of Great Pulteney Street and sits within its own pretty gardens. Inside, the exquisite aesthetic of the building continues, and the museum harbours a collection of fine and decorative arts which includes paintings, porcelain, and sculpture. Regularly changing temporary exhibitions, along with the sleek glass construction of the building’s modern extension, ensure that the Holburne retains a dynamic spirit.

This ‘most poetic of English cathedrals’ is the country’s earliest Gothic style cathedral, looking all the more monumental thanks to its situation in the heart of Wells – England’s smallest city. The cathedral has a large collection of historic stained glass, and several unique features such as its elegant scissor arches, chained library, fan-vaulted ceilings and the fascinating Wells Clock mechanism. Adjoining the cathedral, Vicar’s Close is impossibly picturesque.

Seat of the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years, this medieval palace dating back to the 13^th century is encircled by acres of astounding grounds. Amongst the enchanting gardens you can find the palace’s moat, the pools which gave the city its name, varied planting and some resident swans – who ring a bell at the gatehouse when they want to be fed!

Stourhead is an elegant Palladian property which oozes with inspiration from the Italian ‘Grand Tour’. The real joy of Stourhead, however, is the incredible and extensive estate. Every shade of green is represented and reflected in the lake which forms the centrepiece of the grounds, and set amongst the rare and exotic trees like jewels you will find dripping grottoes, classical temples and Gothic stonework. Stumble upon stunning viewpoints framed by greenery as you wander the undulating pathways through this Georgian masterpiece of landscaping.

Tyntesfield is an unusual Victorian property, not built to be an extravagant show of wealth but instead, as a family home displaying spectacular Gothic revival architecture. The collections inside the house document the ordinary and extraordinary lives of four generations of the Gibbs family. Outside, the lovely gardens and parkland present an abundance of nature with floral terraces, a kitchen garden & areas of woodland.