This International Women’s Day, we’re looking at some of the wonderful women that have lived in or around Bath or have played a big part in the city’s history.
- Queen Victoria
Yes, actual Queen Victoria! While, she was born and bred in London, she visited Bath as a princess and opened the Royal Victoria Park. - Mary Berry
Queen of Baking Mary Berry was born in Bath, her dad was one of the city’s former Mayors and was educated at Bath High School and Bath College. She now has a key to the city. - Jacqueline Wilson
Former Poet Laurette and best-selling author, Dame Jacqueline Wilson was born in Bath, she is most well known for her character, Tracy Beaker. - Jane Austen
Another of Bath’s famous writers, Jane Austen spent several years in Bath after her family moved to 4 Sydney Place. You’ll find the Jane Austen Museum and an annual festival honouring her. - Siobhan Marie O’Connor
Former St Gregory’s student, Siobhan-Marie is a medal-winning Olympic swimmer who has represented Britain at various sporting events, currently she holds the records for 200 metres individual medley, the 100 breaststroke and the 4×100 metre mixed medley relay. - Amy Williams
Gold medallist Amy Williams MBE is a British former skeleton racer and Olympian she was the first British individual gold medallist at a Winter Olympics for 30 years. - Queen Elizabeth 1st
Another Royal makes the list, much like Queen Victoria, Elizabeth 1st spent the majority of her life in London, however, she is the reason that Bath is a city, she declared it a city and ordered the restoration of the Abbey. - Gabrielle Aplin
The singer song writer from nearby Chippenham studied music at Bath College before gaining fame after being featured in a John Lewis Christmas advert. - Sally Lunn
This is a bit of a controversial one, while the Sally Lunn Eating House claims the recipe was brought to the city by a refugee called Solange Luyon who became known as Sally Lunn. Others claim that Sally Lunn is the English form of Soleil et Lune. Either way, it makes a good story! - Claire Clavert
Born in Bath, Claire is an English ballet dancer and was the first soloist at the Royal Ballet, she was trained by Strictly’s Darcey Bussell. - Princess Claire of Belgium
It isn’t just the British Royal Family who have connections to Bath, Princess Claire was born in the city. She went on to marry Prince Laurent of Belgium in 2003. - Julia Davis
While Julia Davis, the comedy actress, was born in London, she and her family moved to Bath when she was 14. She is best known for the show Nighty Night. - Mary Shelley
The author of Frankenstein spent some time living in Bath while she was writing her famous novel. - Maisie Williams
Better known as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, Maisie Williams is from the village of Clutton, on the outskirts of Bath, she lived in the city for a time.
This is by all means not the complete list of amazing women from Bath – can you think of anyone else who should be featured? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook!
