The Roman Baths in Bath – what to see when you visit

The Roman Baths in Bath are one of the city’s unique attractions and the number one thing to see in this charming UNESCO World Heritage city. A hot spring was enclosed in the 2nd century AD, the Romans built their temple to the Goddess Sulis Minerva here, and fashionable Georgian society flocked in the 18th century to take the waters.

As a local living nearby in Bristol, the Roman Baths are the first place I take visitors when we have a day out in Bath.

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The baths in Roman times

Hot baths built over a natural spring existed well before Roman times and were enclosed in the 2nd century AD. They become the focal point for worship at the temple of the Goddess of healing, Sulis Minerva.

The Roman Baths that grew up were unusual for their size and for the amount of hot water that was freely available. Most baths around the Roman Empire used smaller plunge pools and a limited amount of hot water, since heating water was expensive.

The baths were a cross between a public leisure centre and a site of devotion to the Goddess, with a temple courtyard and altar next to the spring.

Sitting in the centre of the city, the Roman Baths are now surrounded by the cathedral and shops. Originally they stretched over a much larger area and some of the remains are under the level of the surrounding streets.

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The Baths in the 18th and 19th century

In the 18th century the Grand Pump room was built next to the main spring as a place where people could socialise and taste the health-giving spring water. These fashionable visits to Bath mentioned frequently in the novels of Jane Austin.

During the 19th century the wider extent of the Roman Baths were uncovered, the columns and statues of the Great Bath reconstructed and the baths reopened to the public in 1897.

A Tour of the Roman Baths in Bath

As you enter the bath complex you are given an audio guide that can play in several languages. The tour can be stopped and started at each point on the tour which worked well and allowed everything to go at their own pace.

At certain points there is commentary designed for children and also reflections by travel writer Bill Bryson on his experience of the baths.

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The Great Baths and King’s Bath

The starting point for the tour of the Baths is the terrace above the Great Baths, which was created in 1897 when the baths were re-opened with imposing statues of Roman Emperors who had connections with England.

Moving around, you can get a view of the other different baths in the complex, including the smaller original King’s Bath. This was a mysterious, sacred place containing the original spring water, steaming and gently bubbling like the whisper of the goddess.

Into this pool, prayers or curses, written on small lead tablets were often thrown to ask for the goddess’s help. Listen for the voices of the angry plaintiffs across the century requesting punishment for the person who had stolen their cloak or other possessions.

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Roman Remains at the Baths

The remnants of the carved stone pediment of the temple have been constructed with a central Gorgon’s head looking more ancient Briton than Roman.

Later in the tour you reach the Roman level of the baths to walk around the original temple courtyard At this lower level is the original Roman brick overflow for the spring which channeled the water away to discharge in the nearby River Avon.

The scene at the temple and baths in Roman times is brought to life by short film clips of people going about their business. A bored Roman matron attended by her servant girl, the young family walking by and temple priests full of their own importance, remind us of the real people who walked upon these stones.

Our tour ends at the lower level of the Great Bath where visitors can sit by the water getting a sense of what it was like to come here to relax, bathe and socialise. It really feels like an open air swimming pool that you’d love to jump into and cool off.

Read my article: How to find a fabulous spa break in Bath

The Pump Room

As a final part of your visit it’s worth walking through the pump rooms, where you can also have afternoon tea, and you can taste the mineral water from the spring served from an elegant Georgian urn. It doesn’t taste particularly pleasant. But then if it did, it wouldn’t have such a reputation for health giving properties would it?

Plan your visit to the Roman Baths

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