Do I need to book Roman Baths in advance?
Tours can be booked online with Roman Baths tickets, or on arrival at the ticket desk, subject to availability. We recommend booking entrance to the Roman Baths 1 hour before your tour time. Laconicum. An unusual feature of the Roman Baths is this special heated room known as a laconicum. It was a small room of intense dry heat, although it could have been turned into a steam room by splashing water about.To enjoy both The Roman Baths and Pump Room Restaurant, take advantage of our Roman Baths and Pump Room Experience. Your visit will start with a delicious brunch or afternoon tea in the iconic Pump Room, accompanied by a glass of fizz beneath the chandelier, before completing your day with a visit to the museum.We recommend booking entrance to the Roman Baths 1 hour before your tour time. The tours do start promptly, so please speak with a host on arrival if you are running late.While the baths were enjoyed by almost every Roman, some criticized them. The water was not renewed often and the remains of oil, dirt or even excrement were kept warm, providing a milieu for bacteria.
What is the best time to visit the Roman Baths?
The best time to visit the Roman baths is either immediately after opening or two hours before closing time. If you want to avoid the tour groups, don’t go to the Roman baths between 11am – 3pm! Can I swim at the Roman Baths? Unfortunately because of the quality of the water it would not be safe to swim here. The nearby Thermae Bath Spa uses the same water which is treated to make it safe for bathing.Reaching temperatures of up to 46°C (114. F), the spring-fed water kept the baths warm even during the coldest winters. Beyond offering warmth, the baths were central to Roman social and cultural life. People from all walks of life gathered to bathe, relax, and socialise.Originally the Roman Baths were completely open for both sexes to use them at the same time. But, later they were regulated through which ladies bathed before the men, although the exercise areas were allowed to be used simultaneously by either sex.Please remember that there is a no-textile zone in the Roman Baths, which means that swimwear should not be worn. In the corridors, restaurant and rest area, you must wear a towel or a bathrobe.
Are the Roman Baths still hot?
The Sacred Spring, at the heart of the bathing complex, dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva, provided a constant supply of hot water. Reaching temperatures of up to 46°C (114. F), the spring-fed water kept the baths warm even during the coldest winters. The first shrine at the thermal pools was dedicated to the god Sulis and following the Roman invasion this led to Bath being named Aquae Sulis. While you can’t enjoy a dip in the thermal waters of the Roman Baths anymore, you can have amazing swimming experiences in and around the city all year long.Bath is a travel destination that can be enjoyed even if you are on a budget. Bath prices are almost on a par with London but like London there is plenty to see outdoors and if you plan well there is lots of free fun to be had. During July and August some attractions put their prices up and hotels are more expensive.The Roman Baths is one of the finest historic sites in Northern Europe, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK. Hidden beneath the present city of Bath lies the stone remains of one of the finest religious spas of the ancient world.
What to wear in a Roman Bath?
Please remember that there is a no-textile zone in the Roman Baths, which means that swimwear should not be worn. In the corridors, restaurant and rest area, you must wear a towel or a bathrobe. Aristocratic Romans, particularly those seeking to build up popularity with the public come election time, often sponsored days where anyone could use the baths for free.
How to get free entry to Roman Baths?
Discovery Card/Local residents Discovery Card holders, residents of Bath & North East Somerset and full-time students at University of Bath and Bath Spa University receive free entry to the Roman Baths. If you don’t have a Discovery Card, please present one of the following as proof of residence on arrival. The Roman Baths (Museum and monument) is owned and operated by Bath and North East Somerset Council which is a small to medium sized unitary authority.Local Residents and Students Residents of Bath & North East Somerset who are Discovery Card holders, and full-time students at University of Bath and Bath Spa University receive free entry to the Roman Baths. Please click below for further details on how to book your tickets.
Why are the Roman Baths closed?
The Roman Baths are no longer used for bathing. In October 1978, a young girl swimming in the former Beau Street swimming baths, which were fed from the hot spring complex that also supplied the Roman Baths, contracted naegleriasis and died, leading to the closure of the baths for several years. The baths have been closed off to the public since 1978, after a girl who swam in the water died of a meningitis-related illness, according to The Guardian. Until that point, swimmers used to bathe in the waters once a year as part of the Bath Festival. After the death, the water in the Baths was found to be polluted.