Bath owes its existence to the hot mineral springs with their healing properties, together with a river crossing, which was a crucial point on the frontier system established by the Romans after the invasion of Britain. The settlement became a popular spa throughout the Roman era and, later in the Medieval period, a centre for the wool trade. In the 18th Century it developed into an elegant Georgian town with Palladian buildings along a wooded river valley.
There are 4,900 listed buildings, some from the Roman and Medieval period but mostly built from early 18th century to the early 19th century when Bath became a favoured resort. Today the city is a thriving tourist attraction, cultural and commercial focus for the sub-region. Its significance stem from the importance of the Hot Springs, Roman Baths and Temple complex as well as the international importance of the 18th century architecture and town planning.