A walking tour of Bath: the ultimate spa break

With its imposing Georgian architecture, regal connections and the ‘healing’ waters of its Roman Baths, it’s easy to see why the city inspired Jane Austen• More UK city walksWhat a difference a queen makes. It was the royal visits by Anne in the opening years of the 18th century that turned this sublimely placed town from relative backwater to fashionable Georgian gem and set in train its graduation to Unesco world heritage site. Look at the plentiful shopfronts on a bright, reflective day and you are staring the local industry in the face. It is you, curious visitor. Take heart; there are elegant, honey-stoned reasons for the place being such a centre of tourism and they declare themselves the moment you start this 2½-mile walk from the Bath Spa railway station. Continue reading...

Bath revives plan to impose tourist tax

Councillors believe levy of £1 or more on visitors would raise extra cash for city in times of austerity but hoteliers are waryThe city of Bath is planning to lobby the government for the power to charge its many visitors a tourist tax.A levy of about £1 or more could be added to the accommodation bills of the million or so tourists who stay in the Georgian city every year. Continue reading...