Roman Baths

The baths were built around a natural hot spring, which was believed to have healing powers. The Romans constructed a series of pools and baths at different temperatures, so that bathers could move from one to the other to experience the different health benefits.

The Roman Baths fell into disrepair after the Romans left Britain in the 5th century AD. They were rediscovered in the 18th century and have been open to the public since the 19th century.

Today, visitors to the Roman Baths can learn about the history of the baths and see the well-preserved ruins. They can also walk on the original Roman pavements and visit the museum, which houses artifacts from the Roman period.

The Roman Baths are a must-see for anyone visiting Bath. They are a fascinating window into Roman life and culture, and they offer a unique opportunity to experience the past.

Here are some of the most notable features of the Roman Baths:

• The Sacred Spring: This is the source of the hot water that fed the baths. Visitors can still see the steam rising from the water today.

• The Great Bath: This is the largest bath in the complex and was used for social bathing. It is still filled with water today, but visitors cannot swim in it.

• The Temple of Sulis Minerva: This temple was dedicated to the Roman goddess of healing and wisdom. It was built on the site of an earlier Celtic temple.

• The Roman Bath House: This is where bathers would go to change clothes and bathe. It contains a series of pools and baths at different temperatures, as well as a sauna and a cold plunge pool.

Museum

The Roman Baths Museum in Bath, England is a museum dedicated to the history of the Roman Baths, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK. The museum is located on the same site as the baths themselves, and it houses a collection of artifacts from the Roman period, including mosaics, statues, jewelry, and coins.

The museum is housed in a 19th-century building that was originally built as a pump room for the baths. The building was designed by John Pinch the Younger in a neoclassical style. The museum has three main galleries:

• The First Gallery: This gallery tells the story of the Roman Baths from their construction in the 1st century AD to their decline in the 5th century AD. Visitors can learn about the different parts of the baths, how they were used, and the people who used them.

• The Second Gallery: This gallery houses the museum's collection of artifacts from the Roman period. Visitors can see mosaics from the baths, statues of Roman gods and goddesses, jewellery, and coins.

• The Third Gallery: This gallery is dedicated to the history of the baths after the Romans left Britain. Visitors can learn about how the baths were rediscovered in the 18th century and how they have been preserved and restored over the years.

The Roman Baths Museum is a great place to learn about the history of the Roman Baths and Roman life in Britain. The museum is also home to a number of interactive exhibits, making it a fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages.

Here are some of the most notable artifacts in the Roman Baths Museum:

• The Gilt Bronze Head of Sulis Minerva: This head of the Roman goddess of healing and wisdom is one of the most iconic artifacts from Roman Britain. It was discovered in the Sacred Spring in 1727.

• The Curse Tablets: These lead tablets contain curses that were inscribed by people who had been wronged. The tablets were then thrown into the Sacred Spring in the hope that the gods would punish the wrongdoer.

• The Roman Bath House Models: These models show how the Roman Bath House would have looked and functioned in Roman times.

• The Mosaic from the Roman Baths: This mosaic was discovered in the Great Bath in 1979. It depicts dolphins and sea creatures.

The Roman Baths and museum are open to the public year-round. Visitors can purchase tickets online or at the door. Guided tours are also available.

Address: The Roman Baths, Abbey Church Yard, Bath, Somerset BA1 1LZ

Telephone Customer Services): 01225 477785

Website: Roman Baths

Opening times: The Roman Baths is open every day except 25 and 26 December. Refer to website for daily opening times.

Tickets: See website

Ticketing enquiries: Send email

Group and accessibility bookings: Send email

Food: No. Visitors can enjoy fine dining and views of the Roman Baths in the adjacent Pump Room Restaurant.

Accessibility: See website