Bath Corporation

Bath
The Royal Crescent in Bath
Bath
Bath shown within Somerset
Population	88,859
Demonym	Bathonian
OS grid reference	ST750645
• London	97 miles (156 km) E
Unitary authority	Bath and North East Somerset
Ceremonial county	Somerset
Region	South West
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	1:Bath 2:North East Somerset (Bathampton & Bathford Area)
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

City of Bath
Bath

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Location	United Kingdom
Criteria	i, ii, iv
Reference	428
Coordinates	51°22′53″N 2°21′31″W / 51.38139°N 2.35861°W / 51.38139; -2.35861
Inscription	1987 (11th Session)
Website	www.mayorofbath.co.uk
Location of Bath, Somerset
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Bath (/ˈbɑːθ/ or /ˈbæθ/) is a 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. AD 60 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.