Out and about in Bath and surroundings.

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Matthew Powell
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Many notable people have lived or stayed in these houses, which are grade 1 listed and worth millions. Number 1 is open to the public as an historic house museum.

1 Out and about in Bath and surroundings. Bath is famous for its Georgian architecture, especially the Royal Crescent. As this was built between , it was already in use when the American War of Independence broke out in Many notable people have lived or stayed in these houses, which are grade 1 listed and worth millions. Number 1 is open to the public as an historic house museum. It has been restored to its ancient grandeur which is pure Jane Austen ( , Bath being one of her favourite settings for her romantic novels. What many people don't know is that Bath is redolent with Masonic imagery. (Below The circus) The Crescent is supposed to represent the Moon, while the nearby Circus (shown above and designed by architect John Wood the Elder and built between ) represents the sun. It is said to be modelled on Stonehenge. This is because Bath has Druidic connections. Geoffrey of Monmouth tells us that the city was founded by King Bladud son of Hudibras and originally called Caerbadum'. These kings belonged to the Brutus lineage, Trojans who came to Britain centuries before the Roman invasion. Bladud is supposed to have made Minerva the tutelary deity of Bath, where she is known as Sulis Minerva. Minerva is, of course, the Roman name for the Greek goddess Athene. The old, Druidic name for her was Ave, her name being spelled in the ancient alphabet with three lines /I\. these lines represent shadows cast by a sun-stone at dawn, noon and sunset. At Stonehenge the Heelstone (Helius being the sun) has this function. The tree in the middle of the Circus presumably

fulfils this function, the three roads emanating from the solar ring symbolising Ave, whose name incidentally is

(Below: The Roman Baths) The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD, adding most of the island to their growing empire.

They were addicted to bathing, public bathhouses being where most business took place.

ailments like gout, rheumatism and arthritis was the icing on the cake.

These days it is closed for bathing but there is a new, spa with clean water nearby.

2 fulfils this function, the three roads emanating from the solar ring symbolising Ave, whose name incidentally is immortalised in England's preeminent Stone Age monument, Avebury Circle. (Below: The Roman Baths) The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD, adding most of the island to their growing empire. When they arrived in Bath it was love at first sight. They were addicted to bathing, public bathhouses being where most business took place. The fact that Bath had not only a natural supply of hot water but that its mineral content was good for treating ailments like gout, rheumatism and arthritis was the icing on the cake. They built this magnificent bathhouse, resplendent with statues and still intact today. These days it is closed for bathing but there is a new, spa with clean water nearby. This has only been open a few years and is very popular. Bath is back in business as a Spa. (Below: The Pump Room) The Grand Pump Room was opened in It too would have been familiar to Jane Austen and her fictional characters. Here you can drink the waters and also take tea: a civilized habit of the British. (Below: River Avo and Pultney Bridge shops)

Flowing through the centre of Bath is the River Avon.

Many ricvers are called 'Avon' in England, the name being derived from the Welsh word Afon, whichmeans 'river' and is pronounced Avon.

London Bridge was once like this but is no more. Bath gives us a flavour of what this must have been like.

in Bathwick. This is a tranquil oasis though a fair walk from the centre of Bath.

3 Flowing through the centre of Bath is the River Avon. This links Bath with Bristol and onwards to Avonmouth, The Bristol Channel and hence the Atlantic. Many ricvers are called 'Avon' in England, the name being derived from the Welsh word Afon, whichmeans 'river' and is pronounced Avon. Pultney Bridge, which was completed in 1775, was built by architect John Adams. It is famous for having shops and cafés on both sides of the road. London Bridge was once like this but is no more. Bath gives us a flavour of what this must have been like. (Below: Sydney Art Museum and Sydney Pleasure Gardens) The Holburne Art Museum is locaed in the Sydney Pleasure gardens on the other side of the river in Bathwick. This is a tranquil oasis though a fair walk from the centre of Bath. At the museum are world class collections of 17th and 18th century British art as well as silver and much else besides. (Beckford's Tower Museum) A couple of miles to the northwest of Bath, on the Lansdowne Road, stands the extraordinary Beckford's Tower. It was built in 1827 for William Beckford ( ), an extremely wealthy, eccentric novelist and reputed magician. The tower is open to the public but only on certain days.

(Below: William Herschel House Museum) There are many museums in bath. Probably the most interesting from our point of view would be the William Herschel Museum.

He is most famous for discovering the planet Uranus buyt he also published catalogues of nebulae. He, I am sure, would be fascinated with the Electric Universe paradigm.

); The Museum of bath Architecture; The Victoria Art Gallery, which opened in 1900 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and features art, sculpture, and much else besides; The Jane Austen

4 (Below: William Herschel House Museum) There are many museums in bath. Probably the most interesting from our point of view would be the William Herschel Museum. Herschel ( ) was a German born, British astronomer and musician. He lived in Bath and the museum is in his house. His various musical instruments and telescopes are on display. He is most famous for discovering the planet Uranus buyt he also published catalogues of nebulae. He, I am sure, would be fascinated with the Electric Universe paradigm. Other museums worth looking at are: The American Museum in Britain (which details American history with many objects from America); The Fashion Museum (perhaps of more interest to the ladies that one!); The Museum of bath Architecture; The Victoria Art Gallery, which opened in 1900 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and features art, sculpture, and much else besides; The Jane Austen Centre, which celebrates everything about the author of Pride and Prejudice etcetera and many others besides. Believe me, if you come to bath you will not be short of things to do! Bath: the Arthurian Battles of Badon. (Below: view of Bath from Solsbury Hill and Dyrham Park Everyone has heard of King Arthur, who is said to have lived sometime after the Romans left britain for good in 410 AD. legend has it that he pushed back the Anglo-Saxon invaders, at least for a time in the West and South West of the island of Britain. Some evidence for a minor kingdom in the South West Peninsular, which includes the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, can be seen in a major series of earthworks. To the north of Dorset and marking the border with Hampshire is Bokerley Dyke. Close to Bath it is called Wansdyke, a name thought to come from 'Woden's Dyke' or

Ditch. Such Dykes were used in the Dark Ages to define the borders of minor kingdoms. Woden's Law would prevail on one side of the ditch, British, Christian law on the other.

Most people believe this took plae on Solsbury Hill, just to the north of Bath. Solsbury is yet another name for Bath, the equivalent of the Latin Aquae Sulis or 'Waters of the Sun'.

5 Ditch. Such Dykes were used in the Dark Ages to define the borders of minor kingdoms. Woden's Law would prevail on one side of the ditch, British, Christian law on the other. Bath was critical to this defensive line. King Arthur's victory at the Battle of Badon in the early 6th century secured his kingdom for 30 years. Most people believe this took plae on Solsbury Hill, just to the north of Bath. Solsbury is yet another name for Bath, the equivalent of the Latin Aquae Sulis or 'Waters of the Sun'. Solsbury Hill is therefore the equivalent of Mon Badonis or 'Bath Mountain'. There was a second battle, which the Anglo-Saxons won, whichseems to be what they call the Battle of Dyrham. The Anglo Saxon Chronicle places this at 577 AD. During the battle, three British kings were slain. As a result of their victory the West Saxons (English) took three cities: Gloucester, Cirencester and Bath. This separated Wales from the South West Peninsular, leadig eventually to the latter's annexation into England. Dyrham Park, just a few miles to the north of Bath, is a lovely place. It contains a 17th century stately home that is open to the public. However the park itself is beautiful with magnificent views over the surrounding countryside. If you have a car available, it would make a nice day out for a pick-nick. (Below: SS Great Britain in Bristol Docks and Clifton Suspension Bridge over River Avon) For those staying on in the area for a few days, then there are other places further afield that are worth visiting. Bristol is only ten miles from Bath. It was once England's premier port for the sugar trade with the West Indies. It has a significant legacy from the Victorian Age too. The pre-eminent British engineer of the period was Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He built the Great West Railway which still runs today, with trains from London to Bristol and onwards to Wales. Brunel's vision was for a fast connection with London and then steamships across the Atlantic. To this end he built the SS Great Britain, the first ocean-going steam-liner made entirely of iron. This has now been brought back to Britain, restored and is on display in Bristol docks. A little further down river is the Clifton Suspension Bridge, started in 1831 and finished in 1864, that stretches over the gorge through which the Avon flows. This was built to Brunel's plans. A more significant work is the railway tunnel under the River Severn, which links England with South Wales. This was built between At four and half miles long, prior to the opening of the Channel tunnel, it was the longest tunnel in Britain.

(Below: 2 bridges to Wales and Roman amphitheatre ('Round Table') at Caerleon) These days travellers to Wales

If you are interested in King Arthur, then a trip to Wales is a recommended.

The Roman Second legion Augusta was based here for several centuries leaving extensive remain.

It contains a very large, Roman amphitheatre which is probably the so-called 'Round Table' where he and his knights

Mysticism east of Bath (Below: Avebury stone circles and a crop circle nearby) If you follow the M4 east from Bath

This is the largest Stone Ave monument in Europe, with a perimeter of one mile round the principal ring.

6 (Below: 2 bridges to Wales and Roman amphitheatre ('Round Table') at Caerleon) These days travellers to Wales usually go by car over one or other of two suspension bridges. If you are interested in King Arthur, then a trip to Wales is a recommended. A visit to the Roman city of Caerleon is a must. The Roman Second legion Augusta was based here for several centuries leaving extensive remain. King Arthur was crowned here and it is generally accepted that this city was the Camelot of legend. It contains a very large, Roman amphitheatre which is probably the so-called 'Round Table' where he and his knights had annual meetings. Mysticism east of Bath (Below: Avebury stone circles and a crop circle nearby) If you follow the M4 east from Bath and turn south at junction 15 (using map or satnav) you will eventually get to Avebury. This is the largest Stone Ave monument in Europe, with a perimeter of one mile round the principal ring. Inside are stones as large as those at Stonehenge. There are many theories about why it was built but it remains a mystery. Once at Avebury you are in the middle of crop circle country. These appear every year like mushrooms overnight. If they are man-made they display extraordinary skill in their precision and clarity. Make up your own mind. (Below: Hinkley Point Of course if yo want to do something electric and radically different on your way to the Quantocks

7 event, you could go on a visitor tour of Hinkley Point, nuclear power station. Tours can be booked through their visitor centre at Bridgewater. You have to book your tour at least 3 weeks in advance but since children are allowed, it seems to be regarded as safe. Adrian Gilbert.

The Eden Project The Eden Project in Cornwall consists of two biomes that include plants from many different climates and environments.

The Eden Project The Eden Project in Cornwall consists of two biomes that include plants from many different climates and environments. The Angel of the North This steel sculpture is 20 metres tall and