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How it rates

Bath is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Legend has it that King Bladud, father of King Lear, founded the town 2,800 years ago, when he was supposedly cured of leprosy by a bath in the muddy swamps. The Romans established the town in AD44 when the world-famous baths complex was built.

Architectural gems

Bath has some of the finest Georgian architecture in Europe, with 72 Grade I listed buildings. There is plenty to visit, from its famed stone crescents to the 15th-century Bath Abbey and Thermae Bath Spa, the only natural thermal waters in Britain.

What's new

The Pinnacle is a development of six detached family houses by Bloor Homes on the edge of Batheaston, near Bath. It was launched earlier this month; prices start at £1.125million (Knight Frank, 0117-943 9850).

Travel

Bath is 15 miles from Bristol via the A4; it is a similar distance from the M4. An attempt to reduce car use has led to the introduction of park-and-ride schemes. The city is also on a national cycle route. Bath Spa station has regular trains to Paddington (90 minutes), Bristol Temple Meads (15 minutes). The River Avon links Bath to Bristol and is popular with narrowboats.

Quality of life

Excellent but at a price. The shops, restaurants and schools are a mix of top-class and quirky. Couple that with the tranquillity of the surrounding Cotswold villages and you would think you are living the English idyll. However, at least half the borough's population live in the city. Add the hordes of tourists and it can become very busy indeed.

Smartest streets

The Royal Crescent and The Circus are the best addresses. Just north of the city centre is Lansdowne, with its rather grand terraces of mainly Georgian townhouses; Knight Frank has a large Victorian house on the market there for £2.5million. Pulteney Street is more central and warrants prices around the £3million mark. Villages within a ten-mile radius of the city centre are the most popular.

Restaurants

Take your pick. For those who like their food to come with a Michelin star, there is Bath Priory, which has had this accolade for eight years. The menu reflects the seasons, using many local ingredients. Martini is a popular Italian with locals and the Walrus& Carpenter, named after the Lewis Carroll poem, does not only some lovely vegetarian food but also a very tasty burger. The King William pub has a stunning menu and is popular with foodies.

Nightlife

The Theatre Royal offers drama, opera and ballet; the Rondo Theatre mixes professional with amateur and community work. There are oodles of pubs and bars to visit. For something a little laid-back try the Chazz Bar - perfect for thirtysomethings. The Common Room is a casual members' bar with a soul/funk feel on a weekend.

Education

Schooling is first-rate. Schools such as Monkton Combe, King Edward's and the Prior Park group are excellent reasons for families to move into the area. The city also has two universities: the University of Bath, founded in 1966, has become one of the leading universities in the UK; the much newer Bath Spa University was granted university status only in August 2005.

Working Life

Bath has always been a tourist town. It really took off in the 18th century, when rich visitors came to take the waters, which were said to cure a whole variety of diseases. Tourism is still an important economic sector today in addition to education, health, retail and leisure.

Upside

Bath has the only hot springs in the country. It also has wonderful architecture, culture and the beautiful open spaces of the Cotswolds and the Mendips on its doorstep. Visit the city from July 3-6 and you can drop in on the Taste of Bath Festival, where the finest food and drink will be prepared by the South West's best chefs, including Raymond Blanc and Michael Caines (for details go to visitbath.co.uk ).

Downside

High house prices keep most buyers out of the historic city centre. But visiting as tourists in the peak season can also be tough, with accommodation hard to find and long queues for the main attractions. Like Rome, Bath is famed for its seven hills, so it will test the legs.

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