X-mas Market: Bath, England

Not making it to at least one Christmas market this time of year would simply be ridiculous.  With so much to offer - handcrafted items, local cheeses and vinegars, hot food and mulled wine - it is a great way to spend an afternoon and get into the holiday spirit!

This year the choice was Bath, England.  Just a two hour train ride away from England, and quite rich with history.

Known for its Roman bath house established off the therapeutic waters of local hot springs, it was a popular spa destination in the Georgian era and apparently still today (though this time around I did not partake in the spa experience).

Bath also serves as a location in several Jane Austin books, where she lived herself for several years, and tours around town take you to see the sites she mentions - one of the more popular is the Pump Room where one can take a sip of the healing Bath waters (pass, thanks).


Another is the Putney Bridge, quite pretty over the river Avon.  I just happened to get into the spirit of the trip by reading Sense & Sensibility the last few weeks.


The market was great, with many more local handcrafted items than others I have been to.  I was able to pick up a couple kitschy Christmas gifts while sucking away on my candy cane.

Bath is also known for having a glass blowing house, where they specialize in turquoise colored glass items - picked myself up a little vase.  "Taking its name from the city’s Latin name (Aquae Sulis) ‘Bath Aqua’ is made by adding copper oxide to molten glass. This gives the aquamarine colour reminiscent of the historic city’s hot springs." 


All in all, a nice little road trip away from the hustle and bustle of London, and helped to start the Christmas spirit.