Why go
The Roman Baths are the reason Bath exists. Hot water still rises from the Sacred Spring at the heart of the site, and the Romans built a temple to the goddess Sulis Minerva and a great bathing complex around it. The town they called Aquae Sulis grew up here, and the remains now sit about six metres below the modern street, beneath the Georgian Pump Room and right beside Bath Abbey. It is one of the best preserved Roman sites in northern Europe and the most visited attraction in the city.
The setting is the draw. You walk on original Roman pavements around the Great Bath, its green water steaming in cold weather, with the Abbey tower rising behind the Victorian terrace above. It works in any weather, as most of the route is indoors or under cover.
What to see
- The Great Bath. The centrepiece, a large lead-lined pool open to the sky. The pavements around it are Roman, so they are uneven and can be slippery.
- The Sacred Spring. Where the naturally hot water rises, and where Romans threw offerings to the goddess.
- The Temple and museum. The gilded bronze head of Sulis Minerva is the star object. The museum tells the story of the temple, the people who visited and the curse tablets they left.
- The East and West Baths. The heated rooms and plunge pools of the bathing suite, which show how a Roman bath worked.
- Costumed characters. On many days you will meet Romans based on real people from Aquae Sulis, which children enjoy.
- The torches at dusk. The torches around the Great Bath are lit at about 4pm in winter.
Plan your visit
Entry is by timed ticket, and the Roman Baths recommend booking at least 24 hours ahead; walk-up tickets cost £2 more and may sell out. From 1 November to 18 December 2026, advance adult tickets are £23.50 on weekdays and £26.50 at weekends and on bank holidays, with child tickets (6 to 18) at £16.50 and £19.50 and family tickets from £59. Under-6s are free but need a reserved ticket. National Trust and English Heritage members pay full price, as the site belongs to Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The site is open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. When we checked on 8 November 2026 the official visit page still listed its autumn hours, 9am to 6pm with last admission at 5pm, and had not yet published winter times, so check before you go. On 24 December last entry is 4.15pm, and on 1 January 2027 the doors open at 10am. Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours. There is no re-entry once you leave.
The audioguide is included, in 13 languages, along with a children’s guide narrated by Michael Rosen and a British Sign Language guide. Shared one-hour guided tours run hourly from 10am to 3pm for £8 extra. Expect a security scanner at the entrance. Large bags, wheeled cases and pushchairs cannot go round; the reception hall keeps pushchairs, but there is no luggage store.
Accessibility
About 90% of the site can be reached by wheelchair users, using four lifts, but some areas are only reachable by steps. A companion or carer goes free.
At Christmas and in the new year
Book a November or December visit online and your confirmation includes a code to return in January or February 2027 for £1. From 8 January to 14 March 2027 the temporary exhibition Chew Valley Hoard: Coins, Kings and Conquests is included with admission. A festive trail runs from 1 December to 3 January, and a pop-up bar by the Great Bath opens on 18 to 20 and 27 to 28 December.
Nearby
Bath Abbey is next door, and Thermae Bath Spa, where you can bathe in the spring water, is two minutes’ walk away on Hot Bath Street.
