Famous Cities: Bath Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Celts

The city is famous for its Roman Baths, but before the Roman invasion of Britain in 43AD, Bath was a Celtic city dedicated to the Goddess Sulis, who was said to keep the waters of the hot springs sacred.

Answer: Aquae Sulis

'Aquae Sulis' means waters of the goddess Sulis.

Answer: 19th Century

It was not until 1880 that the full Roman Baths' complex was discovered, although in 1727 the head from the statue of Sulis Minerva was found under Stall Street. In the 18th Century it became fashionable to go to the 'Pump Room', built next to the Baths and have afternoon tea.

Answer: Royal Crescent

Royal Crescent was thought up by John Wood the Younger and completed in 1774. It is an architectural landmark and would have been home to many wealthy Georgians.

The Circus was developed by John Wood the Elder, and when he died John Wood the Younger took over. It took over 13 years to build.

Brock Street is the street joining The Circus and Royal Crescent.

Answer: Perpendicular

Bath Abbey is often commonly mistaken for a Cathedral, and is the third building on the site. The first was a monastery built in 676 AD using stone from old Roman buildings. It was at the abbey next to it that Edgar King of Wessex was announced as King of All England. In 1090 the Normans had the monastery demolished and large Norman priory cathedral put in its place.

However, due to the dispersion of the monastic community, by 1499 the priory was in ruins. The rebuilding of the Abbey began about 10 years later, but, due to the dissolution of the Monasteries, it was not completed until 1617.

It is now the Parish Church of Bath.

Answer: The Royal Mineral Water Hospital

The Royal Mineral Water Hospital would charge £3 (thats about £300 or $568.50) for either your return journey or your funeral, depending on the outcome of your stay. It is here that Dr Oliver invented Bath Oliver biscuits to cure the patients suffering from over eating rich foods.

Answer: Pickwick Papers

Charles Dickens was a regular visitor to the city of Bath, first coming in 1835 as a young newspaper reporter. On that visit he stayed at 'The Saracen's head.' Later he stayed several times at 35 St James's Square, the house of a friend, and it was here he thought up the idea of Nell, from 'The Old Curiosity Shop', but did not base it on the social life of Bath.

Answer: Thomas Baldwin

A rather modest building was assembled in the 13th Century, its purpose was to serve as Bath's Guildhall. The Grand Guildhall standing today was designed by Thomas Baldwin, the city architect, in 1777 and was added upon in the 1890's.

Answer: False

Jane Austen did in fact live in Bath, but from 1801-1804, which is in the 19th Century. Jane hated Bath, finding huge social constraints unsophisticated and irksome. However this gave inspiration for her novels 'Northanger Abbey' and 'Persuasion.'

Answer: The Kennet & Avon Park

The Kennet & Avon canal was a working canal for 141 years, from its time of opening in 1810, but was outmoded by the railways and later closed. In 1990, due to the efforts of enthusiastic volunteers the canal was re-opened.

The Royal Victoria Park was opened in 1830, and named after the 11 year old Princess Victoria, who was visiting Bath at the time.
Prior Park was started in 1734 as a formal garden, it was later landscaped by 'Capability' Brown.