Travel

Somerset's Seasonal Delights

Somerset proves a revelation as a Christmas destination for James Henry when he embarks on a coach tour of the county and its attractions

Steam rose from the water of the Roman baths in the lights that were brightening against the incoming December evening. Floodlights picked out the magnificent tower of the abbey while below it the bustle and excitement of the Christmas market grew with the crowds.

It’s not hard to see why Bath is rated as one of the best of Britain’s Christmas markets. The setting on the stone flags of the little streets and squares around the abbey and the baths could win that accolade on its own. It is sealed by the atmosphere of the stalls, radiating bright, warm colours out from the neat wooden chalets.

On display are crafts of all description, from wooden toys to woolly hats and jumpers, from handmade chocolates to Christmas tree decorations. Most of what’s on offer is individual and just a bit different from stuff you can buy in the shops.

Then there’s the aroma of the food stalls, mulled wine mingling with baking potatoes and grilling sausages or the intriguing ‘stew in a box’. There’s even a West Country answer to Germany’s Glühwein – mulled cider. It’s just the job as the evening sets in and your breath begins to show as the temperature drops.

Bath’s market opens on Thursday November 28 and runs for 18 days until Sunday December 15. This year it features more than 140 stalls. The market opens at 10am every day and closes at 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 8pm Thursday to Saturday, and 6pm on Sundays.

There’s plenty more shopping, too, in the Georgian streets near the Christmas market. As a break from shopping we took a tour of the Roman baths. Apart from that magical view at dusk across the great bath, you get to see how the Romans used the natural hot water spring to create this complex of mineral rich water and steam. The original drainage system is still working 2000 years on.

If you want to try out the properties of the waters yourself, the Thermae Bath Spa next door uses the same spring water that the Romans discovered and exploited. There’s a full range of spa treatments including a pool at rooftop level.

Full details are at its website: (www.thermaebathspa.com), tel: 0844 888 0844.

To Continue Reading the Full Article Click Here

Have you been to Somerset? What do you think to this beautiful part of the country? 

Let us know what you think and share your experiences with us and others. And for more health news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram and YouTube

Other stories in Travel

Where to holiday and avoid the crowds
A year in cottages
Around the World in 101 nights
Talk a Norfolk walk and enjoy a pint
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines now open for 2025
Fair Stood the Train for France
Emerald Cruises
Solos Holiday Breaks
Take to the water this Autumn
Enjoy an Autumn brunch in London
Discover the charms of Knightsbridge
Last-minute savings on European yacht sailings
Visit this Summer’s Blockbuster Locations
Steam Dreams
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Birdwatching
Bambi in the Blenheim Bluebells
Adventure Play at Blenheim Palace
Eclipse All Aboard for Cruise Adventures
Camping out at Bert’s Kitchen Garden
Second Guest Sails Free with Emerald Cruises
Dogs at the Palace
London's River Uber
Spend a night with Dennis The Menace
Taking a break at Old Dairy Cottage
Wild Isles with cottage comfort
Summer in the Swiss Alpes
Garden Museum London
Discover Paris
What women travellers want
Florida
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Canterbury's tale
Discovering Wales - Places of Worship
Ayers Rock
Discover Ireland
The Dos and Don’ts of Travelling With Leukaemia
Sicily revisited
The road to the Highlands
Amazing Arizona Part 1
Over the Bridge to Skye
Buxton: Gateway to the Peaks
Walking Series: Folkestone
Hills and thrills in the Italian Lakes
Travel News: October
Corsica: Coast and culture
A capital time in London
Happy to be on the Florida Keys
Cruise Special: Around Britain by Boat
The good life in North Wales
Have a capital time in London
Polynesian Paradise
Gardens in the sun
A taste of paradise in Puglia
Music in the mountains
Cruising by coach
A Lakes gem for all seasons
Canada: by seaplane and skytram
Cruising on the crest of a wave
Riding the Rocky Mountaineer
48 hours in Bethlehem
Goa, the go-to destination...
Roaming the Rhone
Doing The Strand
Sheffield: Forging a bright new future
Setting sail for the fjords
Taking it easy on the shores of Lake Garda
Be the best Brit abroad
What's on your British bucket list?
Passage to India
Isle of Wight: Singing the praises of quirky cottages
Zell am See: Alpine Wonderland
Turning back time in Guernsey
Glam under the stars in surprising Staffordshire
Red Square Revisited
Fine dining and a walk on the wild side
Detroit: Dancing in the streets again
Terror and Tourism- are you covered?
Islands in the Sun
Cornwall by Coach
Making Waves on the Med
Tramway Treasury
Sunrise on the Summit
Homage to Catalonia
Pembrokeshire Panorama
The Magic of Amsterdam
Born to be wild on Route 66
A topping time in Tirol
England Rooftop Route Part 1
Besieged Bosnia: Back in Business
Cruising The Danube
Quest for a Lost Queen
Wiltshire's Winning Ways
We'd rather be in Colorado
Taking it easy in Norfolk
Luscious Lucerne
Arizona: Get Your Kicks on Route 66
Discoveries: Epic Adventure
Northern Ireland: Transformed from the Troubles
Kingston: Town of kings
Extraordinary Israel
Avalon's Avian Haven
Station Vacation