Heritage Open Day: Discover the history of the village and Global Heritage Stone that built the city of Bath. The Museum of Bath Stone will be open for free for an additional two days during Open Heritage Days (20-21 September) at 14:00-17:00.
Bath, set in green countryside, owes much of its character and architectural harmony to the stone it is made of, Bath Stone. This material has been exploited since Roman times, but came into its peak in the 18thC. The nearby village of Combe Down was a great source of such stone, which was originally laid down in the Jurassic period in warm tropical shallow seas. The cities buildings are made of freestone hewn by hand using axes, saws (frigbobs and razzers), picks and candlelight.