Bucket list experience:
Credit Shutterstock.com/Edward Haylan
This superbly preserved Roman baths complex is Bath’s number one attraction, drawing in excess of a million visitors per year. Built over naturally occurring hot springs around AD 60, they were in use right up until the end of the Roman occupation circa AD 400. They stand today as a testament to the remarkable sophistication of Roman society and offer a fascinating insight into Roman life.
In case you’re wondering, bathing in the baths was ended in 1978, as the borehole water is no longer considered sufficiently hygienic. If you want the modern-day Roman bath experience, the nearby Thermae Bath Spa uses the same natural spring water taken from more recently drilled boreholes.
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Destination Guide >Guided tours are only available for group bookings. Otherwise, there are informative displays, an excellent audio guide (included in the price), and original artefacts on show in the in-house museum. There’s also a special free audio guide available for children, using a Celtic Boy and a slave girl to tell their inside story of life at the baths in Roman times.
It’s open all year round, seven days a week.
The peak summer season sees hefty crowds, as do most weekends. It’s the city’s top tourist attraction, so it’s always popular. In July and August, the baths stay open until 9pm. This is a great time to visit – they’re torchlit and there are fewer crowds.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Bath
£20 | Rating 4.57 / 5 [201 ratings]
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom (UK)[0.1 miles]
No need to head to the often-busy Thermae Spa to get the full benefit of Bath’s healing waters – the gorgeous Gainsborough Hotel, which shouts luxury throughout, has its own thermal pools in its in-house spa, right in the city centre.
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Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom (UK)[0.5 miles]
Slap bang in the heart of things, No 15. is one of the smartest places to stay, on arguably Bath’s grandest road, close to the city centre. There’s beautiful décor, a relaxed bar and fine attention to detail.
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Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom (UK)[0.6 miles]
Expect friendly, youthful vibes at this relaxed hotel, decorated in jewel tones and with a buzzy restaurant. The location is excellent – the city centre is a five-minute walk away.
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Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom (UK)[0.7 miles]
A bijou bed and breakfast with pretty bedrooms just a five-minute walk from the city centre – Jane Austen would approve.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Somerset, United Kingdom (UK)
A lovely west country city of world-class Georgian architecture, ancient and modern spas, and an atmosphere of romance and refinement.
United Kingdom (UK)
Bristol is the beating heart of the UK’s South West, with an offbeat focus on culture and the arts plus interactive history, a cutting-edge independent food scene and street eats all on offer.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom (UK)[0.2 miles]
A unique modern spa with steam rooms and showpiece rooftop pool, that uses Bath’s natural thermal water.
Best for ages: 12+ | £38
Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom (UK)[1.2 miles]
Take to the air for unrivalled views of Bath’s architecture and the north Somerset countryside.
Best for ages: 13+ | £120 | 4 hours
Castle Combe, Wiltshire, United Kingdom (UK)[15.4 miles]
One of England’s prettiest villages, Castle Combe is a perfectly-preserved slice of medieval life, with a pub that has been open for more than 500 years.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Bristol, United Kingdom (UK)[20.3 miles]
One of Bristol’s most iconic landmarks, the Clifton Suspension Bridge is a spectacular sight, 75 metres above the dramatic geography of Avon Gorge.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom (UK)[0.1 miles]
This Gothic beauty, built in Bath Stone in the 12th and 16th centuries, known for its unique architecture and fan vaulting. You can climb the tower for views of the city, and there’s also a small museum in the vaults housing artefacts and exhibits about the abbey’s history.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom (UK)[0.1 miles]
A historic café in one of Bath’s oldest houses, serving up trademark light, fluffy and sweet brioche-like buns since 1680. See the original, 300-year-old kitchen.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom (UK)[0.2 miles]
The cheery cluster of wooden cabins that take over the city centre from mid-November attracts a throng of shoppers, but is still well worth wandering through on a Christmas weekend trip if you fancy meeting local makers and sampling festive foodie treats.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom (UK)[0.4 miles]
Step inside one of Austen’s novels (Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were both set in Bath) at this elegant town house, on the same street where the author lived. The Centre offers an interactive snapshot of Regency life, fashion and food as well as insights into Austen herself.
Best for ages: 18+ | £12
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Leading European travel writer Dana Facaros, with a passionate interest in archaeological sites, round-ups the best ruins and remnants of arguably the world’s greatest empire.
