I woke (a bit groggily since I stayed up late reading) and got packed and ready, then went downstairs for breakfast. Dad and I learned in Scotland that it’s just easier to get breakfast at your lodgings, since you’ll likely be starving by the time you find somewhere open to eat breakfast when you typically wake up earlier than most businesses open.
I checked out and loaded up the car for the drive to Stourhead, on the way to Bath. I had thought about trying to fit it in yesterday, but after I arrived I was very glad I had the entire morning to walk through the grounds.
It was a gorgeous day.
Stourhead is an estate with the most extraordinary gardens/grounds I have ever seen. It’s also a filming location for one of my favorite scenes from the Pride and Prejudice film with Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfayden. I spent the entire morning walking around the estate, climbing through the grottos, and hiking up to the Temple of Apollo (where they shot the ill-fated proposal).
Scenes from a beautiful day on an amazing estate. My biggest mistake was not realizing you could STAY ON THE ESTATE. Next time for sure!
I recorded a couple of videos going through the rock work architecture since it was such a crazy experience.
The Grotto.
The tunnel leading to the Temple of Apollo.
After hiking around the estate for a few hours I was starving and stopped for a Bacon Roll (bacon on a bun…it’s delicious) and an ice cream at the estate shop.
Bacon. Roll.
I went through the gift shop (of course) and got a bag and a few post cards before I headed off down narrow, hedge-lined country roads to the next stop: Bath Pottery Supply.
Yes, a pottery tool pitstop was absolutely required because this place had everything.
So. Many. Why don’t we have this much stuff in DC???
I bought several items that will certainly have to be in my checked luggage (knives and sharp objects…) and then headed on to Bath, as it was getting into the afternoon. I arrived around 2:30 and located the parking garage that had electric charging. After a lot of unnecessary drama with downloading apps and WiFi issues, I got the car charging and picked up a few snacks at Waitrose, then hauled my bags the short block to the hotel.
The Broad Street Townhouse is a converted townhome and the room is super comfy and the bathroom is enormous. So far ranking the best room I’ve stayed at thus far, though they all have been lovely.
Big bed, HUGE bathroom.
I took a minute and got tickets for the Royal Theatre at 7:30 for…Bonnie and Clyde (a musical). You cannot make this stuff up. I was really looking forward to hearing Brits attempt Texas and Louisiana accents.
I decided I had enough time to go visit the Jane Austen Center so I walked the short distance over and walked through the house, did the guided tour, and got some souvenirs.
I may do tea here tomorrow. It’s cute :)
Before I went back to the room I stopped by the Royal Crescent and the Circus to take photos. Both are regularly featured in period films (including Persuasion and The Duchess), but they’re also a good perspective on how the upper crust lived in Bath.
Beautifully architectured townhouses in elegant rows.
I went back to the room to rest for a bit, then went and checked to see how the car was charging (almost 100%), and then had a quick pre-theater dinner at the pub downstairs (another disappointing scotch egg attempt—I’m just going to stop eating other people’s scotch eggs…).
The theater was a short walk away and I got to see a different part of town on the way there.
This was so surreal…
The music was good, the accents were…okay, the storyline…was not. They let Bonnie off altogether, and didn’t go into how cold blooded the both of them really were. It was just a fluffy story about a doomed love. But the theater was beautiful and it was a nice night out. I walked back to the room and crashed for the night a little after 10. Whew!