In 1987, UNESCO designated the city of Bath as a World Heritage Site, due to its outstanding cultural significance and universal value. If you have yet to visit this beautiful city in England, you may be wondering what is so special about Bath that it deserves to have been recognized in this way. In this article, we look at 5 of the main reasons Bath was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Why Bath Was Designated a World Heritage Site
Here are 5 of the reasons that the city of Bath was officially recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987:
- Roman Remains – The city of Bath is perhaps most famous for the ancient remains from which it takes its name: the Roman Baths in the centre of the city. Consisting of a temple and bathing complex, the Roman Baths are among the best preserved Roman remains anywhere in the world today.
- Hot Springs – The Roman Baths are still fed today from the same natural hot springs under the city that prompted the Romans to start building the bathing complex here in the first place, almost 2,000 years ago.
- 18th Century Architecture – If there is one thing about Bath to rival its Roman baths and hot springs in terms of popularity with visitors, it’s the beautiful Georgian architecture for which it is known all around the world.
- 18th Century Town Planning – Bath was extensively remodelled and expanded in the 18th century, with narrow, poorly organised medieval streets being replaced by beautiful new terraces, crescents and squares, connected by broad thoroughfares.
- Local Landscape Setting – The green, hilly countryside that provides the backdrop against which Bath’s architecture is viewed by visitors and residents alike is considered to be just as important as the city itself by leading heritage experts.
If you would like to discover the city of Bath for yourself, we invite you to book a stay in our delightful, centrally located hotel. We have a selection of beautifully decorated rooms, along with restaurants and bars that are run by the best service team in the city.