The United Kingdom often doesn’t augur that ‘ancient cultural’ vibe as its other western neighbors like Italy and Greece do. But it is home to some of the most amazing symbols of ancient civilizations. The Avebury ring, Skara brae, Hadrian’s wall, Edinburg castle and Corfe castle are just a few to name. I had the opportunity of visiting two such ancient wonders- Stonehenge and Bath, in a day, in 2015.
My very first visit to the UK was an official trip, especially to London. But the history seeker that I am, I ensured visiting some of the important ancient sites in the country. I spent a week in London with my colleagues. While my colleagues enjoyed the weekend in London, I planned to take a day-trip to Stonehenge and Bath. And, it proved out to be a day to remember. London is a very tourist-friendly city. There are excellent day trips from London, well organized and professionally managed. I booked a seat in a bus with the Anderson Travels for the trip. It took us to Stonehenge first in the morning, and in the afternoon, it stopped at the Roman Baths in Somerset.
Stonehenge- mysterious and fascinating
Before this trip, I had visited Lothal, an ancient Harappan site of the 6000 year-old Indus valley civilisation in Gujarat, India. I also had visited Bhimbetaka, a 10,000 year old rock-shelter in Madhya Pradesh, India. However, there was very little to ‘see’ at Lothal and Bhimbetaka; most of the remaining ruins are just symbolic. Similarly, though Hampi is also an ancient heritage site, much of its development is largely associated with medieval period. So, my excitement of ‘seeing’ a substantial ancient ‘man-made physical structure’ was understandable. As the bus got closer and closer to the site of Stonehenge, my heart was beating faster and faster. What can be more awe-inspiring than witnessing a man-made structure built more than 5000 years ago!
Stonehenge is among the very few symbols of the pre-historic world. It’s situated on the Salisbury plains in Wiltshire, about 144 kms west of London, and took 2 hrs for our bus to reach there. The bus stopped a few kilometers before the actual site, and a smaller taxi-bus took us near the site, and we had to walk some distance to reach at the monument.
The first sight of the ancient monument in the middle of a vast grass land was really thrilling. I vividly remember walking faster than others to get there. Once I reached there, I stood there in amazement wondering about its creators and their purpose. It was just as I had read about it, and more. The sheer size of the stones and the awareness about the distance these stones had travelled before being installed here, were enough to scratch my head in bewilderment.
For more contents on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this blog, check out: Khajuraho- Orchha.
The structure of the monument
The monument constitutes two circles made by massive stones brought from far off places, and surrounded by an earthen ditch. The stones are planted upright with horizontal lintels over them. There are 15 large sarsen stones weighing more than 20 tons each (13 ft high and 7 ft wide) in the outer circle. The inner circle constitutes smaller bluestones. In the middle of the rings, there are a few free-standing trilithons and two large sarsen stones. The large sarsen stones were brought from Marlborough, 25 kms away. The smaller bluestones were brought from the Preseli hills, as far as 300 kms away from the site!
The mystery and the fascination
Can you imagine, 5000 years ago, when there was hardly any transportation methods, how its creators brought those massive 20-ton stones from as far as 25 kms! No one would ever know. A number of historians, archeologists and scientists have proposed competing theories on the probable methods of transport, but they will remain theories only. Equally obscure and debatable is the construction technique of the monument. The English Heritage site has a great explanation of the probable construction techniques used by its creators.
With the recent discoveries of some missing stone pieces from the site, a lot of debate surrounding the origin of the major sarsen stones has been settled (Read: Sarsen stones mystery solved). But the debate regarding the purpose of the monument is still on, and probably will never be settled, because there is no written or direct evidence. Various theories suggest various purposes- a center of rituals, a burial site, a healing center or an astronomical observatory, and more. Perhaps Stonehenge served all the purposes at different points of time.
The Duke of Buckingham first conducted an archeological survey of the site in the 1620s. The site has been a subject of continuous research since then. The UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 1986.
The Roman Baths- a symbol of ancient Roman cityscape
The next stop of the day was the stunning city of Bath, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Even before you enter the core area of the city, you will see how refreshingly different it is from the London metropolis. It’s a city to fall in love at first sight. If you are in London for a longer period, you should spend one full day here, unlike me. If you want to know more about the Roman Baths, please check this special article on the Roman Baths here.
Beautiful buildings from the era gone by, lively streets with beautiful shops, and the historical vibes will make your day. I am no expert in architecture, but I love old architectural styles across the world. Through my readings, I know that the buildings in Bath are of Classical Georgian style. I really loved the windows and terraces across the city. And of course, not to forget the main attraction- the ancient Roman Baths.
History of the Roman Baths
Though Public Baths were an innovation of the Greeks, they kept it exclusive to the upper class. However, the Romans made it more accessible to general public, like the stepwells in India were for public purposes. Further, they added a number of features like sitting area and library to make it more of a place of recreation and social gathering. These Baths were a common feature in the cities across the Roman empire. Roman Bath in Somerset in England is one of the finest examples of such public Baths.
The Romans built this particular Bath in the first century AD around 60 AD at a hot spring, said to have healing properties. They called it Aquae Sulis, dedicated to the Goddess Sulis Minerva. At its peak, the Roman Baths served as a top spa resort popular among the elites. It has been a place of interest since then, though it no longer is a place of bath!
When one goes down stairs, there are a few men (like the one I’m seen with in the picture) standing as guards in some kind of traditional costume. I couldn’t make out who they are and their purpose. Though I asked him a few things, instead of answering me, he just happily posed for a picture with me!
Please let me know in the comments section if you know about them.
I also loved the museum and the shop in the campus. After spending some time at the Roman Baths, I took a leisurely stroll along the lovely streets with Georgian buildings; special mentions: the Bath Abbey, the Pulteney bridge and medieval period churches. It’s definitely one of the most beautiful streets in Europe. Like other places in Europe, I loved the street performances by local artists.
So special! Stonehenge and Bath in a day!
I would have loved to spend more time in both Stonehenge and Bath, but a day-trip has its own limitations. However, the trip provided me an opportunity to witness two ancient wonders- Stonehenge and Bath in one day! A very special day in my travel diary. Not very often, I can achieve this feat. Moreover, the time spent in London was not adequate to explore the medieval gems there. Along with Florence, London is also one of my favorite cities in Europe.
Please let me know if you liked the article, and share your experience, if you have visited these places.
Shyamakanta Pradhan
A very informative blog…
Nicely captured Exciting and beautiful places….ohh man made structures
Keep it up.
stampedmoments
Thanks a lot, Shyamkant. Glad that you liked. Please keep connected.
Soumen Chatterjee
Interesting facts about Stonehenge and Bath. It’s quite amazing to know about the history of Stonehenge and how the stones are being brought together to far off places.the smallest stones was brought from Perseli hills 3000 km from the site. That just speechless. Interesting facts about h Bath and it’s. UNSCO World Heritage site. That’s awesome A must visit I guess if i get an opportunity.
stampedmoments
The whole area has an amazing historic vibe. And they have preserved it really well.
A history lover would really be mesmerized by the site.
Sarita Rout
Wow! Such amazing ancient sites in a day! Worth taking the trip. Thanks for sharing.
stampedmoments
Yup, it’s convenient from London, and in one day!