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Written by Alan Wallwork - 20 Apr 2006
last update by Stafford Evans - 20 Sep 2006
and by Paul Udey - 26 Mar 2012
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Location notes
Bath Spa is the main railway station which serving the city. It is an ex-GWR station, the others being Bath Green Park (ex-Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway), which closed in 1966, the site of which is now occupied by a market, with the former trainshed being the car park for the adjacent Sainsburys supermarket and Oldfield Park on the west side of the city, which is a good place to see the Avon Bin liner pulling out from the council siding.
Railway type and traffic
The principal mainline trains are operated by First Great Western, using HSTs (Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads normally) with Alphaline operating local services to Cardiff Central (mostly class 158s).
There are always opportunities to see freight trains, light engines (eg class 66) and there is an occasional steam special.
Environment
Bath Spa is located on the southern edge of the town and is in an urban setting. There is plenty to do and see in the town (eg Roman Baths) and the shopping is good.
There are many pretty towns nearby, perhaps the most picturesque being Bradford-on-Avon, a few miles up the road, with its buildings mostly constructed with Cotswold Stone.
Bath Rugby Club is situated close by and on match days, it can get quite busy, but they are quite a mild-mannered bunch!
Road directions
By car, Bath is easy to find, being reached by the A4, with clear signs into the Town Centre and to the station.

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Bath Spa map co-ordinates
Parking
It is best to leave your car in a car park rather than on the street as it can get very busy in the area. Unfortunately, there is no NCP in the town.
Public transport
The main bus station is located just over the road from the station, so if you come by bus rather than train, you will arrive more or less at the same spot.

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Amenities
Toilets on the station or in Marks and Spencer. There are not many public loos so they can get quite busy.
Loads of places to eat. If you fancy something a little more upmarket, I tried Fishworks in Green Street, which was excellent, but you will need to book.

There is also a very good local pub serving real ales called The Royal Oak on the Lower Bristol Road about a 3 minute walk north from the station.
Accommodation
There is a good supply of hotels in the area.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Bath Spa

Googly map
Streetmap links
Bath Spa general view map
Bath Spa close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Bath Spa



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Railway Gen Group
Wiltshire and Avon Gen
Photographic notes
No particular recommendatons - the station is on a curve so lighting is not a problem.

Update from Paul Udey 26-3-12:
A walking route has been created between the up and down tracks with a handrail running the full length of the platforms which ruins photography in the station area.


General views - All photographs © Alan Wallwork unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north - Image © Paul Udey


Fig 1 - Looking north - <i>Image © Paul Udey</i>

Up side 158956 on a Cardiff to Portsmouth train.

Fig 2 - Looking south - Image © Paul Udey


Fig 2 - Looking south - <i>Image © Paul Udey</i>

Down side 67029 arriving with the VSOE.

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