Before heading across Pulteney Bridge, I made my way to the Pump Room for my lunch reservation. It’s another Bath institution.
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| Ornate ceiling and corinthian columns |
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| Interior of the Pump Room |
The Pump Room is old-world elegance that caters to locals, dignitaries, and tourists. It has a posh ambience, with classical musicians playing in the background. It still has that air of “fashionability” that was such a reoccurring theme during the Regency England. I can just imagine Catherine Morland (Northanger Abbey) getting bored listening to Mrs. Allen’s fatuous commentaries about gowns while dining here. Or Lady Russell (Persuasion) doing her best meddling godmother bit to Anne Elliott while having afternoon tea.
Another great feature of the Pump Room is the mineral water fountain. This sulphury elixir that was deemed therapeutic back in the 1800’s can still be sampled (for a fee of 50 pence per glass) here. The building is beautiful and well-preserved. The caved ceiling has intricate crown molding and Corinthian columns supporting the structure. The decor was simple but I noticed the topiaries needed some love and attention.
Let’s get on with the food! So my server, very cute who looked like a hipster Adam Scott in his tight black pants, tight white shirt, and a bowtie, took my order and called me “young ma’am” so as not to offend me, probably. A few moments later, he served my food in this order:
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| Spicy parsnip & spinach soup with cheese muffin |
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| Bath ale braised shin of beef with bubble and squeak |
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| Christmas pudding with brandy and apricot ice cream |
My spicy parsnip and spinach soup was super savory, the curry was intense. The warm cheese and pumpkin muffin (that looked more like a cinnamon roll) complemented the soup really well. My second course was the Bath ale braised shin of beef with bubble and squeak. It had a tasty beer-infused demi-glace. The bubble and squeak was an oddly-named side dish that consisted of cabbage, potatoes, brussels sprouts, carrots and peas. They are “traditionally” leftover veggies from a roast dinner. It was all-around tasty and filling second course. Then out came my Christmas pudding with brandy and apricot ice cream. Christmas pudding has a long history and in essence, is made with raisins, sweet spices, treacle, fruits, and dark stout, is boiled and stored for a long period of time. It tasted good but it’s not for me. It had too much raisins for my liking. I learned one thing, though. Brandy makes everything taste good 🙂
As I was finishing my dessert, I noticed that there were only 2 people in the entire restaurant that was eating solo. The old lady next to my table was having coffee with a Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth Bennett – 1995) look-a-like but ended up staying for lunch after JE left. My amazing dining experience was almost squashed by the sudden appearance of this off-putting family. This family of 5 managed to create so much raucous that rendered the entire restaurant into a complete standstill. Their two kids started walking around barefoot and making so much noise. I just felt that the Pump Room is not really a good place for children but that’s just me.
Anyway, I decided to make my way to the Pulteney Bridge after lunch. It was another freezing but sunny day in Bath and the long walk was just what I needed. It was a short walk from the Pump Room to Cheap St. and I was in front of the Parade Gardens in no time.
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| Parade Garden |
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| Pulteney Bridge |
The Parade Garden is along the river front near the Abbey in the center of the city. Its calming beauty, well-manicured landscape, and lush greenery are few of the many reasons why Bath is one of the most mesmerizing cities in England.
I have three reasons why I decided to go to Great Pulteney St.. Firstly, I wanted to see the Pulteney Bridge because it was very much reminiscent of Venice’s Rialto Bridge and Florence’s Ponte Vecchio. Secondly, as an avid Janeite, I learned that Laura Place was along the Great Pulteney St. and I wanted to catch a glimpse of it. Lastly, Jane Austen lived on #4 Sydney Place and I wanted this place to be the last one I visit before I depart for London the next day.
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| Laura Place – from Persuasion |
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| These grand mews on either side of Great Pulteney St. |
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| Jane Austen lived here |
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| The piece de resistance |
I was so filled with happiness as I was walking back to the city center. I accomplished so much in my two days in Bath. It was very ambitious of the city to incorporate new structures with the rest of Bath and it worked. The magnificent architecture, the lush and serene royal parks, the arts, the history, and most importantly, the people make Bath such a destination city. I had such a lovely, lovely time. I will definitely go back.
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| My English breakfast |
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| Bye Acquae Sulis |
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| En route to Basingstoke |