City of Bath

What makes this UNESCO Designation special?

The City of Bath World Heritage inscription is exceptional. It encompasses the entire urban area, which is a situation seldom seen elsewhere worldwide.

Bath’s Roman remains are centred around the Roman Baths; these include the archaeological remains of the temple of the Goddess Sulis Minerva and the extensive bathing complex. The Roman town of Aquae Sulis was a walled settlement.

Bath’s hot springs are the only ones in Britain. 250,000 gallons of water flow through the springs each day. There are three main springs - the King’s Spring, the Hetling Spring and the Cross Bath Spring. The hot springs have played a central role in every stage of the city’s development, creating a unique social history and culture where the waters are central to healing and recreation. In the 18th century Bath was re-invented as a fashionable health resort, expanding dramatically beyond its city walls. Medieval streets were transformed into a spacious and beautiful classical city, where architecture and the natural landscape complemented each other.

Neo-classical architectural style from the Georgian period still dominates in the city. Architects including John Wood the Elder, John Wood the Younger, Robert Adam, Thomas Baldwin, followed Palladian principles in the building of houses, public buildings, bridges and churches. The arrangements of crescents, squares, the Circus and terraces form iconic, internationally recognisable structures. The widespread use of local limestone and the uniform scale and height of buildings contribute to the beauty of the city we see today.