A Local’s Guide to Visiting The Roman Baths
If you’re planning a trip to Bath, a visit to the Roman Baths should be on your lists of things to do.
The Roman Baths is an incredibly well-preserved complex of bathhouses that date back to the Roman Empire, making them over 2000 years old! Constructed around 70 AD, the Roman Baths were a grand socializing and bathing complex that was one of the most important public buildings in ancient Roman Britain.
As you walk through the Roman Baths, you’ll be transported back in time to the days of the Roman Empire. You’ll be able to see the remains of the bathhouses and temples, as well as the ancient hot springs that still bubble up to the surface today.
You’ll also be able to learn more about the history of the site through exhibits and displays, which feature thousands of artifacts and archaeological finds from pre-Roman and Roman Britain.
As locals to Bath, we’ve always thorughly enjoyed taking our friends, and families to see the Roman Baths. There’s a reason they’re one of the #1 things to do in the city.
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History of Roman Baths
When you visit the Roman Baths, you are stepping back in time to the days of Roman rule in Britain. The Roman Baths are a well-preserved public bathing facility built around 70 AD on the site of a geothermal spring.
The hot mineral springs bubble up from the ground at temperatures well above 104 °F (40 °C), with the main one producing more than 300,000 gallons a day!
The Romans believed that the hot springs were sacred and dedicated them to the goddess Sulis Minerva. They built a temple around the sacred spring and used the hot water for communal bathing.
The Celts who lived in the area before the Romans also believed in the healing powers of the hot springs and had a shrine dedicated to their goddess, Sulis.
The Roman Baths were a place for socializing, relaxation, and healing. They were an important part of Roman culture and were used for centuries. The baths were used by people of all classes, from the poorest to the wealthiest. The Romans believed that the hot water had healing properties and that it could cure a variety of ailments.
During your visit you’ll be able to see The Great Bath which is the main centerpiece of the baths. The hot spring that feeds the Great Bath is still active today (but not safe to swim in) and reaches temperatures of up to 46°C.
Visiting the Roman Baths
If you’d like to visit the Roman Baths, we’ve compiled some tips based on our local knowledge that we recommend taking into consideration before your visit.
Tickets and Prices
You can purchase tickets for the Roman Baths online or at the ticket desk. Ticket prices vary depending on whether you’re visiting during the week or on the weekend.
Children under the age of 5 can enter for free. If you’re disabled, you can bring in 1 carer for free with a fully paying disabled visitor.
You can also take a walking tour of Bath that include’s access to the Roman Baths.
Book Tickets in aDvance
Make sure to book your tickets soon as you know when you want to visit, especially during the summer. Tickets can sell out fast due to how popular it is to visit so we really recommend getting them as soon as you have your dates set.
Don’t touch the water
While the waters in The Great Bath are still heated up, you must not touch the water. Swimming, or dipping your hands/feet in is not allowed, and is really dangerous due to a deadly bacteria living in the waters.
Until 1978, it was possible to swim in the waters but the water became home to a dangerous amoeba, called Naegleria fowleri. This killed a girl back in 1978, causing the baths to be shut.
The complex is perfectly safe to visit, just don’t touch the water. If you do want to go swimming in the hot spring, head to the Therame Spa next door. They use water from the hot spring, but it’s been treated so there’s no nasty bacteria in their supply.
Make sure to check out the Museum and artefacts
Allow time to see the museum as well as the baths. The Roman Baths Museum contains thousands of artifacts from the Roman era, including coins, jewelry, and pottery. One of the most famous objects on display is the gilt bronze head of the goddess Sulis Minerva.
The museum also has interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn more about the daily life of the Romans including how they would exercise in what would have been their gym.
Pick up the Audioguide
For your visit to the Roman Baths you’ll be able to use an audio guide for no extra cost. The audio guide is available in 12 languages.
Opening Times
The Roman Baths are open every day except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Opening times vary depending on the season, so be sure to check the website before you plan your visit. The Baths can get very busy during peak tourist season, so it’s a good idea to arrive early in the day to avoid the crowds.
Enjoy Afternoon Tea at The Pump Room
Right next door to the Roman Bath’s, is The Pump Room. This grand Georgian building that was once the social center of Bath, and was once the entrance to the Roman Baths. It also gets its name from the fact the water from the hot spring is pumped into the room.
Today, you can still sample hot spring waters (don’t worry, its been treated so it is safe to drink). You can also enjoy afternoon tea here.
FUn facts about The Roman Baths
Besides the Roman History, there’s also some fun facts and trivia knowledge that can add some extra interest to your visit.
Did you know that the Roman Baths have been mentioned in several books? Bill Bryson’s “Notes from a Small Island” and Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” both make reference to the Baths and their historical significance. It’s also said that Austen based Mr. Darcy off one of the men she saw at the baths!
For those interested in the sites religous and spiritual history, you should check out the curse tablets. These small lead tablets were inscribed with curses by people seeking revenge against their enemies. It’s a really interesting insight into the beliefs and superstitions of the time.
In fact they believed that the hot spring was a direct link to the underwold, so they’d throw the curse tablets into the bath as a way of praying to the goddess. They’d also throw in money, and other presents in the hope she’d look after them.
The Roman’s also used the Baths for things other than bathing such as playing board games, or exercising in the court yard and gym.
Accessibility for disabled Visitors
Those of us with disabilities are normally used to finding out that historical buildings aren’t very accessible, especially if we use a wheelchair. But, you’ll be happy to hear the Roman Baths have a really good level of wheelchair access (which is one reason I love visiting).
Head to the Abbey Church Yard entrance and you’ll find there’s level access to the ground floor of the complex. Access to most other areas is possible using elevators. Using the elevators you can get to see The Great Bath, the East Baths, the lower parts of the museum and the mezzanine displays. They also give you access to the teaching space if you’re visiting on an educational group tour.
For those who have visual impairments, there’s an audio tour available which fully describes the baths to you plus tactile models so you can get a feel for what they look like. There’s also braille, and large print available.
For those with hairing impairments, some of the staff know British Sign Language and can help you during your visit.
There’s also a toilet for disabled visitors, but this isn’t a changing place toilet so there won’t be a hoist or adult-sized changing table. If you need a changing place toilet, you can find one at the SouthGate shopping centre or the Bath Sport and Leisure Centre. Changing place toilets may be behind a radar key lock, you can order one of them online here, even if you don’t live in the UK.
Disabled visitors can also bring in one carer, free of charge. Just make sure to bring along proof of your disability (e.g. a doctors letter, disability benefit/welfare entitlement letter or your blue badge).
