I had never heard of Pulteney Bridge prior to the visit to Bath. According to our tour guide, the 18th century bridge is one of only four bridges in the world that has shop lots on both sides on the bridge.
Pulteney Bridge across River Avon
I didn’t pay much attention to the bridge initially, it looked like a simple shopping-street at the moment we crossed it; I didn’t even know how its external looks like.
The bridge is actually fame for its two ‘faces’; one side of the bridge is the beautiful Georgian architecture as seen above, the other side is rather shabby because of the shop alterations and enlargement in the 19th century. I didn’t have the time to see the bridge from the other side… but it might be a good idea just to see the beauty side of it.
River of Avon, Bath
The Kennet and Avon Canal was built in 1794-1810 to connect River Avon and River Kennet (which connects to River Thames); the canal runs from Bristol (passes by Bath) to Reading with series of locks and weirs to allow the boats to navigate through the valley.
The canal only enjoyed a few decades of glory as the railway gradually took over as the main transportation method in mid 1800s. The canal was hardly used in early 20th century and was eventually closed in 1950s.
The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust was formed in 1960s to restore the canal; and the canal finally reopened in 1990 by Queen Elizabeth II.
Today, Avon and Kennet Canal is a popular heritage tourism destination and played a great part in wildlife conservation.