insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 20 - October 2016 | Page 87

choices – ordering way too much… eyes
bigger than my belly, as always. I couldn’t
help it, everything on the menu looked
so good; my Italian grandmother would
have been proud of my efforts to eat at
least half of the dishes on the menu.
Let me just put this out there: I did have
a dining companion, so I had help.
We started with the risotto balls, fig and
mozzarella salad, and fritto misto (tiger
prawn, calamari and white bait with Aqua
dressing and capers). The risotto balls
were my standout dish – the pea,
mushroom and parmesan all wrapped
up together in yummy little spheres of
deliciousness.

While in Bath…
Bath boasts some of the finest architectural sights in Europe, can lay claim to being the only thermal spring
in the UK and presents attractions including the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and Thermae Bath Spa. The city
and the surrounding area positively teems with history and simply must be explored.

Thermae Bath Spa
Bathe in the mineral rich waters that Bath is so famous for at
the Thermae Bath Spa. Modern meets ancient in this stateof-the-art facility which combines a contemporary split-level
spa with historic spa buildings. Relax in the indoor Minerva
Bath or climb to the rooftop pool and spend a while gazing
out at the view over the City of Bath and that most beautiful
of skylines. You can also stop for lunch at the on-site restaurant
and enjoy a surprisingly fine dining menu using ingredients that
are sourced locally and freshly prepared on site, and end your
day by choosing from over 40 spa packages including the
exclusive Watzu. Combining elements of massage and acupressure, the treatment involves being cradled by
a therapist in the warm waters, while being gently stretched and guided in flowing movements; a deeply
relaxing experience.
www.thermaebathspa.com

Roman Baths Torchlit Visit & Dinner at
Roman Baths Kitchen
Take a twilight tour of the amazingly beautiful and captivating
Roman Baths gaining fascinating insight into the original
bathing complex and the great Roman temple of Sulis
Minerva. As dusk settles and the air cools, the steam rising
from the warm greenish waters produce a ghostly
appearance and perfectly sets the scene for a torch-lit circuit
of the buildings. Truly captivating and a good way to work
up an appetite for a 3-course dinner at the Roman Baths
Kitchen, which is included in the price of your ticket. The
menu is seasonal and the food sublime.
www.romanbaths.co.uk
I chose the pollo farcito for my main –
an Italian crumbed chicken breast stuffed
with mozzarella and pesto, served with
crispy onion and herb-buttered spaghetti,
and ate probably half of my fellow diner’s
smoked haddock risotto (obviously, I like
risotto). I also tried my best to eat my
chosen sides of courgette fritti, garlic
spinach and green beans with lemon
and mint. Yeah, I’m a glutton when it
comes to Italian. Especially good Italian.
I know you’re curious… yes, we did have
dessert, and no, I don’t know how we
ate it all. I thoroughly enjoyed my
raspberry crème brûlée, while my dining
companion was a bit more sensible
and had a ‘miniature dessert’ of fig,
honey and almond tart.

© visitbath.co.uk / Bath Tourism Plus / Colin Hawkins

Royal Crescent

Built between 1767 and 1775 and one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture in the UK today,
the Royal Crescent was built to accommodate the affluent population during the boom in Georgian Bath. The
sweeping crescent contains some 30 houses, one of which is now the Royal Crescent Hotel, and a recently
renovated townhouse museum depicting Georgian living both above and below stairs.

Overall, a delectable experience. Food,
service, ambiance – Aqua knows how
it’s done. And guess what? Soon you
won’t have to go all the way to Bath to
get your Aqua fix! They’re opening a new
location at The Old Courthouse, Lewes
(E Sussex) on 26th October.

Bath Abbey
From its beginnings in 1499, three different churches have
occupied the site of today’s abbey: an Anglo-Saxon abbey
church dating from 757; a massive Norman cathedral begun
about 1090, and the present abbey church which is described
as the last of the great medieval churches of England. The
Abbey is particularly noted for its magnificent fan vaulted
ceiling made from Bath stone. Take the opportunity to look
at the Abbey from a different perspective on the Tower Tour.
Visit the ringing chamber and bell chamber, stand on
top of the Abbey’s vaulted ceiling, and even sit behind the
clock face.

Aqua
88 Walcot Street
Bath BA1 5BD
www.aqua-restaurant.com

© visitbath.co.uk / Bath Tourism Plus / Colin Hawkins

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