Visit the UBIETY chalet at the Bath Christmas Market

UBIETY is proud to be at Bath Christmas Market again this year, with the internationally renowned event drawing new customers from all over the UK and beyond. Not only does our chalet ‘pop up’ from 23 November to 10 December, presenting an unparalleled opportunity for direct sales of our products, we also continue to promote Dorothy House Hospice Care’s holistic care practices and UBIETY’s wellbeing ethos to a wider audience.

The historic Cross Bath

The UBIETY team are yet again delighted to be sited directly opposite the Cross Bath, on Bath Street. Not only is the location more open, less hectic and therefore more suitable for considered browsing, it’s also an area steeped in wellbeing history; the perfect place for contemplating your next indulgent soak.

In 1688, James II famously welcomed a son, nine months after his wife, Mary of Modena, bathed in the waters of the bath, originally built by the Romans. The cross itself on the current structure was erected to celebrate the birth of Prince James, James and Mary’s son, crediting the water with fertility inducing properties.

Deep under the present pool, two altar stones were found during a 19th century ‘tidy up’, one depicting scenes associated with Aesculapius, the ancient Greek god of healing, and the other dedicated to the goddess Romano-Celtic Sulis Minerva, who was also attributed with healing powers.

The healing power of the bath was one of the reasons for the foundation of St John’s Hospital, Bath, around 1180 by Bishop Reginald Fitz Jocelin. As you peek around the corner of the Cross Bath, you can access the historic courtyard of the almshouses. Over the centuries the Cross Bath was used by many royal and fashionable visitors as part of a prescribed health regime, or even in direct opposition to their doctor’s advice; demonstrating how complementary therapy has always occupied space alongside modern medicine.

There’s something in the water…

Perhaps our favourite historical anecdote about the Cross Bath however, is the following from E. Ward, ‘A Step to Bath’, written in 1700:

“Here is perform’d all the Wanton Dalliances imaginable: Celebrated Beauties…. Curious Shapes almost expos’ d to Pub lick View; Languishing Eyes, Darting Killing Glances, Tempting Amourous Postures, attended by soft Musick, enough to provoke a Vestal to Forbidden Pleasure… The vigorous Sparks, presenting them with several Antick Postures, as Sailing on their Backs, then Embracing the Elements, sink in a Rapture and by Accidental Design, thrust a stretch’ d Arm…”

Clearly people weren’t just visiting for the healing properties of the waters!

Feel euphoric with Ubiety

With Ubiety’s new Euphoric bathing range for sale at the chalet, we promise a far less controversial experience at the Bath Christmas Market. However, we can provide an indulgent and natural ritual, drawing on the waters of the baths for inspiration, our ingredients supporting the skin’s natural balance and our fragrances uplifting the mind!

Support Dorothy House this Christmas and make sure to visit the chalet, or order online.