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Spa Towns In The 18Th Century England

One of the striking features of the 18th century England is the rapid growth of urban society – in both the metropolis and provincial towns.The eighteenth century was the century of hot springs cities, namely Epsom, Islington, Buxton and Cheltenham.Yet it cannot be denied that they were not as famous as the city of Bath. Bath is the most representative city to depict the striking urban and social development of hot springs in England at that time.
As a matter of fact, we must remember the fact that from the early eighteenth century until the early nineteenth century, Bath developed from a small provincial spa to being the most fashionable place, outside of London. The spa was famed for its healing springs, but little else. From the visits of Queen Anne in 1702 and 1703 and throughout the Georgian period (the reigns of King George I, II, III and IV) Bath was the 'valley of pleasure' where fashionable society came for the season to take the waters, enjoy good society, shops and gambling.Yet at the end of the eighteenth century, Bath will fall from its pinnacle and will no longer be the rival of London.
Thus we can wonder what can explain the tremendous growth of hot springs cities such as Bath and what lead to its decline .First of all ,we can account for the rise and fall of Bath by focusing on the extraordinary architectural and social revolution that transformed bath into a fashionable resort, attracting people of all kind. Then i will describe the seamy side of the city and its decay in the early nineteenth century.

Three figures are credited with making Georgian Bath into the place to visit. The Architect John Wood who planned and built the palatial streets, the entrepreneur Ralph Allen who provided much of the money and stone to build them with, and Richard 'Beau' Nash, the master of ceremonies who managed the balls in the buildings they built; including the Assembly Rooms and the Pump Room
The massive expansion of the city in Georgian times was a...