Southampton to City of Bath: Private day trip

Wander through 2,000 years of Bath’s history. From Roman temples and hot springs to Georgian crescents and Jane Austen’s world, all in one walkable, golden-stone city. Start at the Roman Baths to see the steam that still rises from the water just like it did centuries ago. Upstairs, the Pump Room looks like a scene from a Jane Austen novel. And yes, you can still try the mineral water! Then wander through Bath’s Georgian streets: pop into No. 1 Royal Crescent to see what a real Georgian home looked like inside. Then walk to The Circus, a circular set of buildings inspired by the Colosseum in Rome. Finish with the Jane Austen Centre and the shop-lined Pulteney Bridge for a classic day out in Bath.

Construction Salisbury Cathedral began in 1220 under the supervision of Elias of Dereham, and the main sections were completed in just 38 years. Elias was present at Runnymede in 1215, and was given the task of distributing copies of the Magna Carta around England, so he understandably brought one to his home parish. Today, Salisbury’s is the best-preserved of the four surviving original copies, and its history is brought to life by a fascinating interactive exhibition. The cathedral’s tower and spire were completed in 1320, and great pains have been taken to keep them standing - after Lincoln Cathedral’s spire collapsed in 1549, Salisbury’s became the tallest in the country. It’s in this tower that visitors will find the world’s oldest mechanical clock, which dates from 1386. Not only does Salisbury have the tallest tower in the UK, it also has the largest cloister in Britain. For more information, please visit salisburycathedral.org.uk