Bath and the STEAM museum, UK
Apr 7, 2025 | 11:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,820
Bath and the STEAM museum, UK
I visited the UK last year and stayed at the Hilton London Metropole. I also visited Bath where I stayed at the Hampton by Hilton Bath City.
This thread is going to be my review of my trip. I'll cover the Roman Baths and then the STEAM museum in Swindon.
This thread is going to be my review of my trip. I'll cover the Roman Baths and then the STEAM museum in Swindon.
Apr 8, 2025 | 12:02 am
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,820
The Roman Baths
In August 2024, I made a trip back to the UK, mainly to see friends and family but also to have a little tour of all the old haunts. One of those places was the city of Bath.
Check out that photo of The Royal Crescent!!
This is going to be a slightly more wordy post as I think there is a lot of interesting history going back a few thousand years that I think is worth just passing over quickly.
A quick bit of history
Human activity in Bath dates back to the Mesolithic period, with Bronze Age barrows and Iron Age hill forts. The Romans established the iconic Roman Baths dedicated to Sulis Minerva, making Aquae Sulis a key center for healing and worship. After the Roman Empire’s fall, Bath fell into obscurity until the medieval period, when a monastery and Bath Abbey were built. The Georgian era brought a golden age, with architects like John Wood the Elder transforming Bath into an elegant spa town, attracting aristocracy. Though damaged in the Baedeker Blitz during WWII, Bath underwent post-war reconstruction. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and remains a thriving tourist destination, blending history, culture, and modern amenities.
So what other things that Bath is famous for. Obviously it’s famous for the Roman Baths hence the name of the city. It is also famous for being the home of Jane Austin between 1801-1806. The city is also well known for its Georgian architecture which can be seen in the Royal Crescent. Another key feature of the city, is the widespread use of Bath stone – a limestone with a honey colour. I was told on a tour that all new buildings in Bath had to be sympathetic to the aesthetic of the city – i.e. they have to be clad in Bath stone. You can see examples of the Bath stone here – some are new buildings are some are older.
The Roman Baths (and Pump Room)
Bath, once a Celtic worship centre dedicated to the goddess Sulis (later identified with Minerva), has a rich history tied to its healing waters. According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, the pre-Roman king Bladud discovered the spring and built the baths, believing the waters cured leprosy. The Romans, renamed the town Aquae Sulis, constructed the Roman baths around 60-70 AD. After the Romans left Britain, the baths fell into disrepair and it wasn’t until the 12th century when John of Tours added a curative bath, followed by the creation of the Queen’s Bath in the 16th century.
When I arrived, the site was buzzing—quite literally—with the a large school group. Around 50 kids from a British school in Spain were gathered outside, chatting loudly and darting around with endless enthusiasm. It was a bit chaotic, but honestly, what would you expect? After all this place has a history stretching back thousands of years.
At the end of the tour, you’re invited to taste the famed spa water with its 43 minerals—a 17th-century cure-all for countless ailments. The experience? Memorable, to say the least. The metallic tang is hard to miss and not exactly pleasant, but I suppose it’s like drinking a piece of history! You can also sample it again in the elegant Pump Room, but once was more than enough for me. It’s a bit quirky but connects you to Bath’s past.
The King’s spring water fountain in the historic Pump Room, Bath
The historic Pump Room where you could have afternoon tea.
You can see a video of the Roman Baths here:
Feel free to subscribe to my (Asia heavy) YouTube channel.
Check out that photo of The Royal Crescent!!
This is going to be a slightly more wordy post as I think there is a lot of interesting history going back a few thousand years that I think is worth just passing over quickly.
A quick bit of history
Human activity in Bath dates back to the Mesolithic period, with Bronze Age barrows and Iron Age hill forts. The Romans established the iconic Roman Baths dedicated to Sulis Minerva, making Aquae Sulis a key center for healing and worship. After the Roman Empire’s fall, Bath fell into obscurity until the medieval period, when a monastery and Bath Abbey were built. The Georgian era brought a golden age, with architects like John Wood the Elder transforming Bath into an elegant spa town, attracting aristocracy. Though damaged in the Baedeker Blitz during WWII, Bath underwent post-war reconstruction. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and remains a thriving tourist destination, blending history, culture, and modern amenities.
So what other things that Bath is famous for. Obviously it’s famous for the Roman Baths hence the name of the city. It is also famous for being the home of Jane Austin between 1801-1806. The city is also well known for its Georgian architecture which can be seen in the Royal Crescent. Another key feature of the city, is the widespread use of Bath stone – a limestone with a honey colour. I was told on a tour that all new buildings in Bath had to be sympathetic to the aesthetic of the city – i.e. they have to be clad in Bath stone. You can see examples of the Bath stone here – some are new buildings are some are older.
The Roman Baths (and Pump Room)
Bath, once a Celtic worship centre dedicated to the goddess Sulis (later identified with Minerva), has a rich history tied to its healing waters. According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, the pre-Roman king Bladud discovered the spring and built the baths, believing the waters cured leprosy. The Romans, renamed the town Aquae Sulis, constructed the Roman baths around 60-70 AD. After the Romans left Britain, the baths fell into disrepair and it wasn’t until the 12th century when John of Tours added a curative bath, followed by the creation of the Queen’s Bath in the 16th century.
When I arrived, the site was buzzing—quite literally—with the a large school group. Around 50 kids from a British school in Spain were gathered outside, chatting loudly and darting around with endless enthusiasm. It was a bit chaotic, but honestly, what would you expect? After all this place has a history stretching back thousands of years.
At the end of the tour, you’re invited to taste the famed spa water with its 43 minerals—a 17th-century cure-all for countless ailments. The experience? Memorable, to say the least. The metallic tang is hard to miss and not exactly pleasant, but I suppose it’s like drinking a piece of history! You can also sample it again in the elegant Pump Room, but once was more than enough for me. It’s a bit quirky but connects you to Bath’s past.
The King’s spring water fountain in the historic Pump Room, Bath
The historic Pump Room where you could have afternoon tea.
You can see a video of the Roman Baths here:
Last edited by SQTraveller; Apr 8, 2025 at 1:41 am
Apr 8, 2025 | 1:39 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,820
Bath Abbey and the Royal Crescent
Bath Abbey
Did you know that cities traditionally were places which had cathedrals? Then why is Bath considered a City? Well it’s actually because of Bath Abbey, or more correctly known as the Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which sits at the centre of Bath.
Its origins date to 675 AD, when King Osric of the Hwicce granted land for a convent and has been a place for Christian worship since 757AD. John of Tours moved the bishop’s seat to Bath Abbey in 1090 (from Wells) and began transforming it into a cathedral. It then had a co-cathedral situation-ship with Wells. Thus they were both declared cities. The interesting thing here is that although technically Wells is also a city, it basically has no built up area surrounding it and thus is actually the smallest city in the UK.
However, the bishops from the mid 1200s seemed to preferred Wells and the Abbey was allowed to fall into disrepair with the cathedral status being stripped from Bath Abbey sometime in the 1500s. However, the historical precedence of originally having had a cathedral meant that Bath has kept its city status despite it not really being a city.
In 1499, Bishop Oliver King initiated restoration, but work halted during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. Revival efforts resumed in 1574 under Queen Elizabeth I, and by 1611, the abbey was restored for use. Victorian-era renovations by Sir George Gilbert Scott added fan vaulting and intricate pews, cementing its Gothic Revival identity. In modern times, additional restorations preserved its structure, including cleaning stonework, replacing sculptures, and reconstructing the pipe organ, ensuring Bath Abbey’s legacy as a historical and functional monument.
Timing wasn’t on our side as we arrived just as the evensong service began—a less-than-ideal moment to bring young kids into such a serene setting. So, we admired the stunning architecture from the outside instead. It’s a breathtaking sight, every bit as majestic as you’d expect. Just as we turned to head back to the hotel, the skies opened up in a dramatic downpour. Our impromptu refuge? The local Marks & Spencer, complete with a cozy caf on the top floor—a surprisingly pleasant spot to escape the rain and regroup.
The Abbey, built of yellow Bath stone, features low aisles, a tall clerestory, and a cruciform plan, diverging from typical Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Its fan-vaulted ceiling, designed by Robert and William Vertue, and 52 windows covering 80% of wall space, create a bright, open interior. The 225-foot-long structure includes buttresses, battlements, and pinnacles, with key features added during George Manners’ 1830s restoration. The west front, built in 1520, showcases Jacob’s Ladder carvings and statues of St. Peter and St. Paul. Restoration in the 1990s revealed the stone’s original hue. Highlights include the seven-light east window by Clayton and Bell, a 161-foot central tower with ten anti-clockwise bells, and modern updates like stackable chairs replacing pews in 2018. The Gethsemane War Memorial Chapel and a rediscovered medieval tiled floor reflect the abbey’s evolving history. The abbey holds 617 wall memorials, 847 floor stones, and tributes to figures like Admiral Arthur Phillip and Isaac Pitman, alongside war memorials. Its Victorian and modern restorations maintain its architectural and cultural significance.
Organ
I want to apologise for anyone reading this who thinks that this part about the organ is very boring. The reason that I have a particularly affinity to the Klais as this was the true organ I had been exposed to up close and personal in the Haileybury College Chapel. Although there are plenty of fine examples of church organs in the world, such as the 5/80 Wurlitzer Theatre Organ of Jasper and Marian Sanfilippo or the 7,000-pipe organ in Lausanne Cathedral, this organ builder certainly has a place in my heart. The earliest properly recorded organ at Bath was built in 1708 and was replaced, rebuilt and added to over the centuries. Most recently it was rebuilt in 1997 by Klais Orgelbau which restored much of the 1895 design while retaining some elements of previous versions. For those of you that are interested it has 62 stops and 4 manuals (unfortunately Wikipedia says 63 stops).
The Royal Crescent
Jane Austen fans will recognize the timeless elegance of the Georgian era—the hallmark of Bath’s architectural charm. Defined by its symmetry, proportion, and classical details, Georgian design dominated the 18th century, blending grandeur with simplicity. In Bath, this style shines in iconic landmarks like the Royal Crescent and The Circus, where rows of honey-colored stone buildings create a sense of refined order. It’s a visual masterpiece that transports you straight into Austen’s world, where every faade tells a story of a city steeped in elegance and history.
One of the finest examples of Georgian architecture anywhere in the world
The Royal Crescent, is a row of 30 terraced houses and I think is a masterpiece of Georgian architecture designed by John Wood, the Younger, and built between 1767 and 1774 with the facade remaining more or less unchanged since its construction. This 500-foot-long crescent, featuring a uniform stone faade and 114 Ionic columns, exemplifies country in the city with views over adjacent parkland. A sunken stone wall (also known as a ha-ha – yes really!!) in front of the crescent separates the lawns without obstructing views.
Unfortunately the time of year wasn’t conducive to a beautiful photo opportunity. We managed to get some really nice photos despite the cloudy conditions. Just as I was taking the wide angle photo the heavens opened up (again!).
Royal Crescent, Bath – fine examples of Georgian architecture
At the back of these buildings are often large private gardens and in some cases (such as below), the garden was actuall open to the public for a certain number of hours a day for free – my favourite price!
You can find the original post on my realglobetrekker website
Did you know that cities traditionally were places which had cathedrals? Then why is Bath considered a City? Well it’s actually because of Bath Abbey, or more correctly known as the Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which sits at the centre of Bath.
Its origins date to 675 AD, when King Osric of the Hwicce granted land for a convent and has been a place for Christian worship since 757AD. John of Tours moved the bishop’s seat to Bath Abbey in 1090 (from Wells) and began transforming it into a cathedral. It then had a co-cathedral situation-ship with Wells. Thus they were both declared cities. The interesting thing here is that although technically Wells is also a city, it basically has no built up area surrounding it and thus is actually the smallest city in the UK.
However, the bishops from the mid 1200s seemed to preferred Wells and the Abbey was allowed to fall into disrepair with the cathedral status being stripped from Bath Abbey sometime in the 1500s. However, the historical precedence of originally having had a cathedral meant that Bath has kept its city status despite it not really being a city.
In 1499, Bishop Oliver King initiated restoration, but work halted during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. Revival efforts resumed in 1574 under Queen Elizabeth I, and by 1611, the abbey was restored for use. Victorian-era renovations by Sir George Gilbert Scott added fan vaulting and intricate pews, cementing its Gothic Revival identity. In modern times, additional restorations preserved its structure, including cleaning stonework, replacing sculptures, and reconstructing the pipe organ, ensuring Bath Abbey’s legacy as a historical and functional monument.
Timing wasn’t on our side as we arrived just as the evensong service began—a less-than-ideal moment to bring young kids into such a serene setting. So, we admired the stunning architecture from the outside instead. It’s a breathtaking sight, every bit as majestic as you’d expect. Just as we turned to head back to the hotel, the skies opened up in a dramatic downpour. Our impromptu refuge? The local Marks & Spencer, complete with a cozy caf on the top floor—a surprisingly pleasant spot to escape the rain and regroup.
The Abbey, built of yellow Bath stone, features low aisles, a tall clerestory, and a cruciform plan, diverging from typical Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Its fan-vaulted ceiling, designed by Robert and William Vertue, and 52 windows covering 80% of wall space, create a bright, open interior. The 225-foot-long structure includes buttresses, battlements, and pinnacles, with key features added during George Manners’ 1830s restoration. The west front, built in 1520, showcases Jacob’s Ladder carvings and statues of St. Peter and St. Paul. Restoration in the 1990s revealed the stone’s original hue. Highlights include the seven-light east window by Clayton and Bell, a 161-foot central tower with ten anti-clockwise bells, and modern updates like stackable chairs replacing pews in 2018. The Gethsemane War Memorial Chapel and a rediscovered medieval tiled floor reflect the abbey’s evolving history. The abbey holds 617 wall memorials, 847 floor stones, and tributes to figures like Admiral Arthur Phillip and Isaac Pitman, alongside war memorials. Its Victorian and modern restorations maintain its architectural and cultural significance.
Organ
I want to apologise for anyone reading this who thinks that this part about the organ is very boring. The reason that I have a particularly affinity to the Klais as this was the true organ I had been exposed to up close and personal in the Haileybury College Chapel. Although there are plenty of fine examples of church organs in the world, such as the 5/80 Wurlitzer Theatre Organ of Jasper and Marian Sanfilippo or the 7,000-pipe organ in Lausanne Cathedral, this organ builder certainly has a place in my heart. The earliest properly recorded organ at Bath was built in 1708 and was replaced, rebuilt and added to over the centuries. Most recently it was rebuilt in 1997 by Klais Orgelbau which restored much of the 1895 design while retaining some elements of previous versions. For those of you that are interested it has 62 stops and 4 manuals (unfortunately Wikipedia says 63 stops).
The Royal Crescent
Jane Austen fans will recognize the timeless elegance of the Georgian era—the hallmark of Bath’s architectural charm. Defined by its symmetry, proportion, and classical details, Georgian design dominated the 18th century, blending grandeur with simplicity. In Bath, this style shines in iconic landmarks like the Royal Crescent and The Circus, where rows of honey-colored stone buildings create a sense of refined order. It’s a visual masterpiece that transports you straight into Austen’s world, where every faade tells a story of a city steeped in elegance and history.
One of the finest examples of Georgian architecture anywhere in the world
The Royal Crescent, is a row of 30 terraced houses and I think is a masterpiece of Georgian architecture designed by John Wood, the Younger, and built between 1767 and 1774 with the facade remaining more or less unchanged since its construction. This 500-foot-long crescent, featuring a uniform stone faade and 114 Ionic columns, exemplifies country in the city with views over adjacent parkland. A sunken stone wall (also known as a ha-ha – yes really!!) in front of the crescent separates the lawns without obstructing views.
Unfortunately the time of year wasn’t conducive to a beautiful photo opportunity. We managed to get some really nice photos despite the cloudy conditions. Just as I was taking the wide angle photo the heavens opened up (again!).
Royal Crescent, Bath – fine examples of Georgian architecture
At the back of these buildings are often large private gardens and in some cases (such as below), the garden was actuall open to the public for a certain number of hours a day for free – my favourite price!
You can find the original post on my realglobetrekker website
Apr 11, 2025 | 6:06 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,820
The steam museum is located just off the M4 at Swindon about halfway between Bristol and London. It’s right next to the Swindon design outlet which has a bunch of restaurants and shops. It’s a good place to refuel with decent food before completing the London leg of the journey. Restaurants here include Wagamama, PizzaExpress, El Mexicana, Five Guys and KFC. After a bit of umming and ahhhing, we went for PizzaExpress as there was a table big enough for our group and there didn’t seem to be a wait and … kids love pizza.
After lunch, it was time to head to the museum. The museum was only a short walk away no more than five minutes gentle walking. The weather was a bit overcast but at least it was not too cold.
The museum is housed in an old railway works building. When it was operating between 1843 to 1986, the Swindon Works spanned an impressive 300 acres and at its peak boasted the ability to produce three locomotives a week! Upon entry into the building, the main foyer has a fire truck and a train axle with a life size representation of what I suspect was supposed to be Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who built the Great Western Railway which connects London to the West (And South West) of England and Wales. Though I’m not I would say that he “built” it, because for me that implies he did all the heavy lifting. He was the chief engineer which meant he had a central role but there were of course many other people involved in its construction. Let me not detract from his contribution, because he was appointed as Chief Engineer at the age of only 27 and let’s face it, what was I doing when I was 27? This is the first of many rather creepy representations of people that the museum has put on.
[img alt="Building housing the STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
"]https://therealglobetrekker.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_3060.jpg?w=1008[/img][img alt="Entrance to the STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
"]https://therealglobetrekker.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_3063.jpg?w=1008[/img]
[img alt="A representation of Isambard Kingdom Brunel by a train axle in the entrance foyer of the STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
"]https://therealglobetrekker.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_3066.jpg?w=1008[/img][img alt="A machine in the entrance foyer of the STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
"]https://therealglobetrekker.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_3136.jpg?w=1008[/img]
Right at the end of the musuem tour there is a section with vintage amusement arcade machines which hark back to the days when people used to take the train to the seaside.
I did not like the attitude of the staff. They seemed annoyed that we were there. I had seen an online special offer for cheaper tickets and I enquired about. They told me no. "The offer is not available" oh I thought I saw it on Facebook and said they were very brusquely "No the offer ended yesterday" in a very offputting manner - in fact they never looked at me throughout the whole interaction. So I asked for the prices and they were very abrupt in the way they gave them - again barely looking at me. I would understand their attitude if they were busy but there was no one else in the museum (literally we only saw 3 other visitors for the whole 2 hours we were there) ... it felt a bit like we had interrupted their day. What I suspect was they were hoping to shut up early, but we arrived a couple of hours before the entry. We arrived at 2:45pm and the museum wasn’t due to shut until five.
There are a variety of different ticket combinations that you can buy it will take too much space to discuss, you can just find the information at this link.
I think this is definitely worth it visiting. If it wasn’t for the attitude of the staff I would have given this a 5 star rating.
You can see the original report here.
A youtube video will come soon.
After lunch, it was time to head to the museum. The museum was only a short walk away no more than five minutes gentle walking. The weather was a bit overcast but at least it was not too cold.
The museum is housed in an old railway works building. When it was operating between 1843 to 1986, the Swindon Works spanned an impressive 300 acres and at its peak boasted the ability to produce three locomotives a week! Upon entry into the building, the main foyer has a fire truck and a train axle with a life size representation of what I suspect was supposed to be Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who built the Great Western Railway which connects London to the West (And South West) of England and Wales. Though I’m not I would say that he “built” it, because for me that implies he did all the heavy lifting. He was the chief engineer which meant he had a central role but there were of course many other people involved in its construction. Let me not detract from his contribution, because he was appointed as Chief Engineer at the age of only 27 and let’s face it, what was I doing when I was 27? This is the first of many rather creepy representations of people that the museum has put on.
[img alt="Building housing the STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
"]https://therealglobetrekker.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_3060.jpg?w=1008[/img][img alt="Entrance to the STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
"]https://therealglobetrekker.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_3063.jpg?w=1008[/img]
[img alt="A representation of Isambard Kingdom Brunel by a train axle in the entrance foyer of the STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway"]https://therealglobetrekker.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_3066.jpg?w=1008[/img][img alt="A machine in the entrance foyer of the STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
"]https://therealglobetrekker.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_3136.jpg?w=1008[/img]
Interactive Exhibits and Locomotive Displays at the STEAM Museum
And you know kids, many love mechanical things and the museum provides an immersive experience with interactive exhibits as well as the actual locomotives. Some of the locomotives that are displayed include North Star, 3717 City of Truro, 4003 Lode Star, Dean Goods 2516, and Pannier Tank 9400. You can explore many of the actual component parts of the railway such as the locomotives (including underneath one!), carriages, and there are plenty of interactive exhibits like block puzzles, bridge-building, signal boxes and a train simulation where you can pull levers and pull the chain to sound the whistle. Of course, those creepy mannequins are every where!
Right at the end of the musuem tour there is a section with vintage amusement arcade machines which hark back to the days when people used to take the train to the seaside.
I did not like the attitude of the staff. They seemed annoyed that we were there. I had seen an online special offer for cheaper tickets and I enquired about. They told me no. "The offer is not available" oh I thought I saw it on Facebook and said they were very brusquely "No the offer ended yesterday" in a very offputting manner - in fact they never looked at me throughout the whole interaction. So I asked for the prices and they were very abrupt in the way they gave them - again barely looking at me. I would understand their attitude if they were busy but there was no one else in the museum (literally we only saw 3 other visitors for the whole 2 hours we were there) ... it felt a bit like we had interrupted their day. What I suspect was they were hoping to shut up early, but we arrived a couple of hours before the entry. We arrived at 2:45pm and the museum wasn’t due to shut until five.
There are a variety of different ticket combinations that you can buy it will take too much space to discuss, you can just find the information at this link.
I think this is definitely worth it visiting. If it wasn’t for the attitude of the staff I would have given this a 5 star rating.
You can see the original report here.
A youtube video will come soon.
Apr 11, 2025 | 6:32 pm
#5
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Is the lovely boutique hotel in the Royal Crescent still operating? I think it was part of LHW or maybe in FHR.
Apr 12, 2025 | 2:10 am
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,820
Apr 12, 2025 | 2:52 am
#7
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
Yes, that's it. I was quite impressed when I stayed there and surprised not to see it in either the picture or description of the Bath Royal Crescent upthread.
Apr 13, 2025 | 6:58 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,820
I had considered staying there a few years back when I was still in gainful employment. Unfortunately now I am without a full time income and with money a bit tight, I couldn't afford to splash the cash
)
