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Bath, Somersetshire

Bath
Aerial view of a semicircular terrace of houses with matching fronts but a variety of different styles at the rear
The Royal Crescent in Bath
Map of Somerset, with a red dot showing the position of Bath in the north east corner
Map of Somerset, with a red dot showing the position of Bath in the north east corner
Bath
Bath shown within Somerset
Population 88,859 
Demonym Bathonian
OS grid reference ST750645
• London 97 miles (156 km) E
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town BATH
Postcode district BA1, BA2
Dialling code 01225
Police Avon and Somerset
Fire Avon
Ambulance South Western
EU Parliament South West England
UK Parliament
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name City of Bath
Criteria Cultural: (i), (ii), (iv) Edit this on Wikidata
Reference 428
Inscription 1987 (11th Session)
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List of places
UK
England
Somerset
51°23′N 2°22′W / 51.38°N 2.36°W / 51.38; -2.36Coordinates: 51°23′N 2°22′W / 51.38°N 2.36°W / 51.38; -2.36

Bath (/ˈbɑːθ/ or /ˈbæθ/) is the largest city in the ceremonial county of Somerset, England, known for its Roman-built baths. In 2011, the population was 88,859. Bath is in the valley of the River Avon, 97 miles (156 km) west of London and 11 miles (18 km) south-east of Bristol. The city became a World Heritage Site in 1987.

The city became a spa with the Latin name Aquæ Sulis ("the waters of Sulis") c.60  AD  when the Romans built baths and a temple in the valley of the River Avon, although hot springs were known even before then.

Bath Abbey was founded in the 7th century and became a religious centre; the building was rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries. In the 17th century, claims were made for the curative properties of water from the springs, and Bath became popular as a spa town in the Georgian era. Georgian architecture, crafted from Bath stone, includes the Royal Crescent, Circus, Pump Room and Assembly Rooms where Beau Nash presided over the city's social life from 1705 until his death in 1761. Many of the streets and squares were laid out by John Wood, the Elder, and in the 18th century the city became fashionable and the population grew. Jane Austen lived in Bath in the early 19th century. Further building was undertaken in the 19th century and following the Bath Blitz in World War II.


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