Attraction · Bath · BA1 1LZ

Roman Baths, Bath — visitor guide

Built in the 1st century AD around a thermal spring at 46°C. Used for 400 years. The Great Bath is the most impressive Roman structure in Britain open to the public. Adults £22. Book online to skip the queue. Arrive before 9:30am or after 5pm to avoid the peak-hour crowds.

Practical information

Address Stall Street, Bath BA1 1LZ
Opening hours Daily 9:00am–9:00pm (last entry 7:00pm) — check romanbaths.co.uk for seasonal variation
Adult admission £22 — book online to avoid queuing
Children (under 17) £14.50 — under 5 free
Evening Glow events Selected Fridays and Saturdays in summer — from £28. Sell out weeks in advance.
Best time to visit First 30 minutes of opening (9:00–9:30am) or after 5:00pm in summer. Avoid 10:30am–3:30pm in July/August.
Time needed Minimum 90 minutes with the audio guide. 2.5 hours if you read everything.
Audio guide Included in admission. Available in 9 languages. Highly recommended — the site is dense with information.

What to see at the Roman Baths

The Great Bath

The centrepiece of the Roman Baths complex — a large open-air lead-lined pool filled with naturally heated mineral water from the sacred spring below. Built in the 1st century AD and used for approximately 400 years. The current viewing terrace, balustrade, and Victorian statues were added in the 19th century — the stone they stand on is 2,000 years old. Arrive in the first hour of opening to photograph the pool without other visitors in frame.

The Sacred Spring

The source of everything. A natural thermal spring rises at this spot at 46°C, producing 1.17 million litres of water daily. The Romans built a temple to the goddess Sulis Minerva here in approximately 60–70 AD, making this the first religious site on the hot spring. The spring produces exactly the same water today as it did then.

The Temple Pediment and Gorgon's Head

The carved triangular pediment from the Temple of Sulis Minerva — a dramatic example of Romano-Celtic sculpture, with the Gorgon's head as its centrepiece. The face is male (unusual for Medusa), and the combination of classical Greek imagery with Celtic hair and expression is unlike anything else in Roman Britain. One of the finest objects of its kind in the country.

The Gilded Bronze Head of Sulis Minerva

A striking gilded bronze head, believed to represent the goddess Sulis Minerva. One of only a few examples of Roman large-scale bronze sculpture in Britain — most were melted down over the centuries. The detail and quality indicate a skilled craftsman working in Bath in the 1st or 2nd century AD.

The Curse Tablets

Thin sheets of lead or pewter, inscribed with curses directed at the goddess — mostly requests to punish thieves. 'I curse whoever has stolen my coins' — and they name the suspects. Over 130 tablets have been found at the spring. One of the most intimate collections of Roman writing anywhere in the world: real people, real frustrations, real faith in the goddess to deliver justice.

Hotels near the Roman Baths

The Roman Baths is central — most Bath hotels are within a 10-minute walk. Book ahead for summer weekends.

Hotels near Roman Baths → Guided Roman Baths tours →

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Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to visit the Roman Baths in Bath?
Roman Baths ticket prices (2026): adults £22, children (under 17) £14.50, children under 5 free, family ticket (2 adults + up to 3 children) £55. Evening Glow event tickets are from £28. Book online at romanbaths.co.uk — you avoid the ticket desk queue and guarantee entry. Same-day tickets are available but can sell out in summer.
How long does a visit to the Roman Baths take?
The Roman Baths with the audio guide takes 90–150 minutes. If you read all the interpretation panels and spend time with the museum objects (especially the curse tablets, the Gorgon's head, and the gilded bronze head), allow 2.5 hours. The audio guide covers roughly 40 stops — listen to the ones relevant to what you are looking at rather than all of them sequentially.
What is the best time to visit the Roman Baths?
The best time to visit the Roman Baths is the first 30 minutes after opening (9:00–9:30am) or after 5:00pm in summer. In July and August, the site is at its most crowded between 10:30am and 3:30pm — the Great Bath is difficult to photograph without other visitors in frame during this period. In winter, the site is significantly quieter throughout the day.
Can you swim in the Roman Baths?
No — you cannot swim in the Roman Baths. The Great Bath is a museum site and is closed to swimming. The water is also not treated and is not safe for bathing. If you want to bathe in Bath's thermal spring water, Thermae Bath Spa (Hot Bath Street, 5 minutes from the Roman Baths) is the place — the rooftop pool uses the same underground hot spring water, treated for modern bathing standards.
Is the Roman Baths worth visiting?
Yes — the Roman Baths is consistently one of the most impressive visitor attractions in England. The Great Bath, the sacred spring, the collection of Roman objects (particularly the curse tablets and the Gorgon's head), and the quality of the audio guide make it a meaningful 2-hour visit. The site is genuinely moving if you engage with the detail. The price (£22) reflects this.

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