The eastern edge of Bath city centre can be a distracting place. Around Pulteney Bridge, the bustle of the indoor market meets the swirl of traffic heading into town. The River Avon which surrounds the city centre passes over a weir, creating a low roar that draws visitors to the banks of the river. This is a lively area of town, with large hotels, traditional pubs and restaurants lining the route down to Bath Spa station. It can be hard to find a quiet family friendly spot, unless you cross over Pulteney Bridge into the more relaxed district of Bathwick.

On the opposite side of the river, follow steps down from the bridge to reach Beazer Gardens. A small municipal park right on the river bank, Beazer Gardens is remarkably tranquil in comparison to the streets above. The centre piece of the Gardens is an elaborate, open air stone maze, with a Roman themed mosaic at the centre. The maze and gardens make a great diversion from exploring the city centre. Other attractions in Bathwick include the Recreation Ground, home of Bath’s successful rugby union team, and the start of the Kennet & Avon Canal, a Victorian canal system that links the Avon with the River Thames.

Pulteney Bridge is a bridge that crosses the River Avon. It was completed in 1773 and is designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building. The bridge was designed by Robert Adam, whose working drawings are preserved in the Sir John Sloane's Museum, and is one of only four bridges in the world with shops across the full span on both sides. Shops on the bridge include a flower shop, an antique map shop, and a juice bar. It is named after Frances Pulteney, heiress in 1767 of the Bathwick estate across the river from Bath. Bathwick was a simple village in a rural setting, but Frances's husband William could see its potential. He made plans to create a new town, which would become a suburb of the historic city of Bath. First he needed a better river crossing than the existing ferry, hence the bridge.

Bath Weir was built in 1975 to protect the city from flood risks, since the river Avon has strong currents. The Weir has an attractive horseshoe shape. The Pulteney Bridge with its shops is just above it. Bath Weir is best viewed from Grand Parade street and it is a perfect spot to relax with a take-away coffee from the nearby coffee shops.

The Guildhall in Bath was built between 1775 and 1778 by Thomas Baldwin according to designs by Thomas Warr Attwood. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building. The current Bath stone building replaced a Stuart Guildhall, built in 1625, which itself replaced an earlier Tudor structure. The facade has 4 Ionic columns and the building is surmounted by the figure of Justice. The central dome was added in 1893. It forms a continuous building with the Victoria Art Gallery and the covered market. The interior includes a banqueting hall with engaged Corinthian columns. It contains 18th century chandeliers and original royal portraits. The room is used on royal visits to the city including Queen Elizabeth II who had lunch in the banqueting room in May 2002. It now houses the Council chamber and Register office for Bath and North East Somerset and is used as a wedding venue, and for filming period dramas.

You may not be able to swim in Bath’s world famous Roman Baths – but around the corner, a new attraction offers the next best thing. Thermae Bath Spa, redeveloped in the last decade, is an open air, naturally heated spa that combines the existing Georgian spa of Cross Bath with a brand new spa facility, New Royal Bath. Bath is home to the only naturally warm mineral water springs in the UK. The foundation of Bath in the Roman era, and its subsequent rebirth as a health resort in the 18th century, were down to this unique geographical feature.

With the reopening of the historic Cross Bath spa, and the addition of ultra-modern facilities, Thermae Bath Spa will ensure that Bath remains a booming spa town. The spa offers a range of packages for visitors, from £68 for a three hour spa session to £188 for a day in the facility. The spa’s frontage is constructed from distinctive Bath stone with a contemporary glass surround. Thermae Bath Spa is located on Hot Bath Street, in the middle of Bath’s historic city centre. New Royal Bath is open from 10am until 9.30pm, whilst the original Cross Bath opens at 10am and closes at 8pm.

Beau Nash Obelisk is located on Queen Square. The Obelisk is situated in the centre of the square and was built by Beau Nash, designed by the famous architect John Wood, with the stone kindly donated by Ralph Allen. The Queen Square Obelisk honors the visit of Frederick, the Prince of Wales.

The Circus stands a short walk to the east of Royal Crescent, and a ten minute walk along Gay Street from the western edge of the city centre. The Circus does not have a dedicated museum, but can easily be taken in either as part of an architectural tour, or around visits to nearby attractions, such as the Assembly Rooms or Museum of East Asian Art. Designed by John Wood the Elder, the Circus was completed by his son, John Wood the Younger, who also designed the Royal Crescent. The three buildings that make up the Circus have previously been voted amongst Britain’s greatest architectural works.

The less well known partner to the Royal Crescent, the place once known as The King’s Circus is perhaps even more impressive architecturally; three curved buildings combine to form a perfect circle of ornate Georgian façades, with a picture book village green in the middle. Rumours abound that the circular nature of the street, combined with the arc of the Royal Crescent a few yards away, was intended to represent a star and crescent - an ancient Masonic symbol, and a theme of the Woods’ work. It’s all part of the grandeur and mysticism that make both streets such unique architectural sights.

Victoria Obelisk is located in the Royal Victoria Park in Bath. The Park was established in 1830 by Princess Victoria. The three-sided Obelisk was erected in 1837 to honor Princess’s eighteenth birthday. The monument bears her portrait. There are two lions sculpted on the Obelisk. Near the monument are two beautiful gates.