The Window Tax
by johngayton
Roughly contemporaneously with the Georgian rebuilding of the city came the introduction of England's first attempt at general taxation. The idea of the Window Tax was that anyone who lived in a house with windows would be taxed according to the number of windows it had. This was quite a good idea IMHO as cottages were exempt (most workers housing being of that nature) and so it was only the more monied folks who got taxed.
There were, of course, the refusniks, even amongst those who could afford to pay but on principle chose not to. So a simple tax avoidance scheme of the time was simply to block up the windows.
You'll find quite a few examples of such properties here in Bath
stiff upper lip and all that!
by Stellco
We're not as inhospitable as you might think! We may not invite you into our homes and up to our summer cabin as the Americans do, but if you want directions most of us are quite happy to help out providing we are not in "a rush"! Always try and pick someone who is walking at a docile pace and doesn't look stressed, its usually wise to ask for a clear destination, don't worry, if they don't understand you they'll let you know! We're nice really!
When Bath was being developed...
by Stellco
When Bath was being developed early in the 20th century a man called Ralph Allan was mining the Bath Stone. He has a school named after him and several streets and roads. At one point he decided he wanted to build a castle over looking the city, he began this project but ran out of money. So on the east side of the city there is the facade of castle, called Sham Castle. This is also a nice walk from the city. The easiest way to reach it is via Sham Lane. An OS map is advised when walking the footpaths around the city.
How to get to Bath
by greebo
There are coaches to Bath from London Victoria Station or by train from Paddington Station London or 15 minutes by train from Bristol Temple Meads Station. Buses to Bath run from the Bristol Bus Station. M4 Junction 18 if travelling by car. Most of the sites of interest within Bath can be reached by walking and it is a pleasant city to walk around.
Wow!! Great food
by chrishc about The Woolpack Inn, Beckington
An Old English Village Inn with 11 rooms, one with a four-poster. Really nice feel to it.
I know it's not exactly in Bath, 12 miles away, but all the Bath restaurants seemed to be new wave cuisine. This place did real food but in a modern way, the best of both worlds. Orange soaked in grenadine and ginger with honey ginger ice cream. The best desert I have ever tasted.
Also had their spicy home-made sausages which were nice and the next night home-made steak and ale pie to die for.
The Thai chicken and noodles was excellent as was the roasted rump of lamb.
I think everything on the menu was a winner. They do cater for vegetarians too.
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