The Roman Baths

Ever wanted to travel back in time, more specifically 2000 years ago? Find everything you need to know in our guide for a day out at the Roman Baths. Unearth historic England, exploring the roots of the Roman empire in the picturesque town ofBath while also getting the kids stuck into fun activities and roleplays. 

Now you've had a brief taster, let's jump into your Roman Baths Guide... 

 

 History of the Roman Baths

The Roman Bath was built in the middle of the 1st century CE and was eventually discovered in 1878 by Major Charles Davis! The Roman Baths are located at the heart of the World Heritage City of Bath. Here, the Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex on the site of Britain’s only hot spring, which still flows with natural hot water today. 

Formerly known as Aquae Sulis, Bath possessed the Sacred Spring - a real hotspot in England at the time. It had three thermal springs, the biggest spring that had the most water coming out from it is special to the Goddess Sulis Minerva. She was worshipped here even before us Romans arrived! People travel far to visit the spring, pray to her and ask for her help. This spring is in the middle of the site. Watch the heat rise from the natural hot spring - it's 46° C so it’s hotter than the water in your bath! 

The Roman bath was the equivalent to our modern day leisure centres. The hot Spring supplied water for the bath house. The bath house had all kinds of different rooms, one of the only unusual rooms is the Great Bath: a huge hot swimming pool.

Hot water bathing areas were a popular place to visit and a big part of Roman culture. Baths included a wide diversity of rooms with different temperatures, as well as swimming pools and places to read, relax, and socialise. Roman Baths even had a bathing lounge! This hot bathing tradition involved bathing every nine days to keep clean after working. 

 

Marvel at the magnificent buildings, immaculately preserved central bathing complex and the active thermal water system which is the same system the Romans used when they first constructed the baths! Gawk at Miversa's head or find out how the Romans stayed fit and healthy in the Roman Gym.That's right, communal exercise was a thing thousands of years ago too! 

Enjoy Torchlit Evenings in the Summertime and make sure to check out the Summer Holiday Activities for families events. Families can participate in cool activities like mythology and archeology. Kids can learn about the Bronze Age and Julius Caesar too! 

Step into the world of Ancient Rome at the historic Roman Baths! Take your little ones on a journey through time and walk in the footsteps of the Romans who used to live and work there over 2000 years ago. Meet a slave girl called Apulia, stonemasons Sulinus and Brucetus, or a travelling merchant named Peregrinus. Listen to each real-life story and prepare to be immersed in Ancient Roman-Britain. 

A visit to the Roman Baths is a great educational experience for all the family. You’ll be equipped with a free audio guide, especially designed for kids, so you can listen to tales of the past as you wander around and explore. Got younger kids? The tiniest visitors just love the family activity trails, which follow the adventures of Hoot the Owl. 

Check out The Beau Street Hoard! This collection of more than 17,000 Roman coins was recently discovered in Beau Street, Bath, and is now on display in the museum.

Plug your ears into award-winning audio guides - there are 12 languages available! There is a special audio guide for children, narrated by Michael Rosen, and a “Bryson at the Baths” version featuring commentary from Bill Bryson. All this is included within your ticket price!

 

Enjoy a creamy coffee or scrumptious afternoon tea with live music in the beautiful 18th-century Pump Room. The morning menu is served from 10.00 until 11.45, featuring famous Bath buns and cakes with tea or coffee. The afternoon tea menu is served from noon until 17.45, with savoury and sweet selections to enjoy. 

 

National Express operates a regular bus service from London Victoria, Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The dropping-off point is at the bus station, five minutes walk from the Roman Baths.

Clean air zone charges apply to higher emission buses and coaches (pre-euro 6/VI diesel and pre-euro 4/IV petrol). To check your vehicle and pay possible zone charges, visit the government website.

Bath is an excellent city to visit by rail. The station is called Bath Spa. There are frequent high-speed connections to London Paddington. For a slower and cheaper service try London Waterloo. The Roman Baths is less than ten minutes walk from the station.

The quickest and most straightforward route if you are travelling from a distance is likely to be via the M5 and M4 approaching Bath from the north. You can then use the Lansdown Park and Ride. See the full Park and Ride services and Bath Car Park charges

Disabled Badge Holders: There are parking bays for Blue Badge Holders in a number of locations in the city centre. Find out more on the Bath & North East Somerset Council(link is external) website.

 

If you are taking a trip to the historic town of Bath, there' lots of fantastic attractions to visit after your visit to the Roman Baths. Bath is filled with stunning 18th century buildings which you can view on a Bath Tour or a Hop Off Bus Tour. Make sure to get some selfies outside of the Bath Cathedral. You won't want to miss out on the Bath Abbey Museum - you can book Tower Tours!