Roman Baths

The Roman Baths are the headline attraction in Bath, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Being just 115 miles (185 kilometers) from central London and within day-tripping distance of Oxford, Brighton, Bournemouth, and Southampton, Bath is a very popular day-tour destination for visitors to South England.

Organized day tours often combine a trip to Bath and the Roman Baths with a visit to the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, the picturesque Cotswolds village of Lacock, Windsor Castle, or the cathedral town of Salisbury. If you want to begin your tour in Bath itself, try a guided walking tour of the Georgian city that includes other top attractions such as the Royal Crescent, the Circus, and Gothic Bath Abbey. Hop-on hop-off tour buses also stop at the Roman Baths.

• The hot water that flows throughout the Roman Baths complex, via the Sacred Spring, is untreated, hence bathing is not allowed.

• Wear sturdy shoes as the stone floors are uneven.

• Audio guides are provided, and free tours take place hourly.

• The complex is below street level, and features narrow walkways that may trigger claustrophobia.

Bath-bound Great Western Railway trains depart from London’s Paddington station and take about 90 minutes. The Roman Baths are about a 10-minute walk from Bath Spa train station.

The Roman Baths are the city’s showpiece attraction and, as such, draw big crowds, particularly during July and August weekends. If you are visiting at this time, arrive before 10am or during the evening. In summer, it’s possible to visit at night, when the baths are lit by torches.

Within the same complex as the Roman Baths is the elaborate Pump Room, a lavish 18th-century construction that served as a socializing spot for Bath’s Georgian elite. The Pump Room now houses a restaurant as well as the King’s Spa fountain, which spouts mineral water directly from the springs. Visitors can try the warm thermal waters, which are said to have curative properties. Be warned: The sulfur-tinged flavor is not to everyone’s taste.

No, the Roman Baths aren’t used for bathing or swimming these days, but visitors can tour the historic site and museum. If you want to experience bathing Roman-style, head to the nearby Thermae Bath Spa, which boasts an open-air rooftop pool and a wellness suite with Roman-inspired steam rooms.

The Roman Baths in Bath are split into four different attractions: The Sacred Spring is where the naturally hot water rises; the Roman Temple, of which remains the temple pediment; the Roman Bath House that harks back to ancient bathing days; and finds from the original site in a museum.

Audio guides and printed information are included with admission to the Roman Baths. These give the site’s history in a wide choice of languages. A special children’s audio guide piques kids’ interest with stories of Roman characters. Author Michael Rosen narrates the English-speaking guide.

The Roman Baths are busiest during school vacation and peak summer months when big tour groups arrive. To skip the worst crowds at these times (or out of them), head there as soon as the attraction opens or a few hours before the official closing time.

Yes, booking is recommended as this is Bath’s super popular attraction. Visitors can book directly at the site, online, or via a day trip from a different city. Day trips are a great way to visit the attraction, as they often package round-trip transport along with pre-booked admission tickets for convenience.

No food and drink, including hot beverages, could be consumed in the Roman Baths. The only exception is water in a transparent container. The Roman Baths attraction does have the Pump Room Restaurant, though, where visitors can enjoy breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea—often with music from a resident pianist.