Today we headed to Lacock to visit the abby which was founded in the 13th century and closed down in 1539. The new owner, Sir William Sharington converted the cloisters, sacristy, chapter house and monastic quarters into a private dwelling. His last descendant Mathilda Talbot donated the property and the abby to the Nathional Trust in the 1940s. Here are some photos from the Abby... Of note - several scenes at Hogwarts School in the film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone were shot at the Abby.
Bath is beautiful, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has magnificent 18th century architecture. We toured the excavated Roman baths built in the 1st century along with a temple in honour of the goddess Minerva. The baths take advantage of the mineral springs that gush from the earth at a temperature of approx. 116 F or 46.5 C. The water still runs today and there in one pool still in existence but no one bathes in it - the pool is full of green agae. The Great Bath, pictured below is no roofless and the statuary and pillars belong to the 19th century.
At the centre of Bath is Bath Abby, a 15th century building built in the Perpendicular (English late Gothic) style.
Bath Abby
Jane Austen Centre
Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806 and set two for her writing primarily in Bath - Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Bath also hosts an eight day Jane Austen Festival in September.
Unfortunately, our time in Bath was short - if you ever go - plan for at least 2 days - it is a lovely city to walk around.
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