Roman Baths, Bath

Don't be mislead when here, NOT ALL THE POOL'S HAVE HOT WATER!

The circular pool in my photo, is a 1.6 metre deep COLD plunge pool!

A cold plunge bath was a feature of many Roman bath houses, but rarely on this scale!

Into the hot pool, then the cold, brrrrr!!!!

The Great Bath was where most people seemed to be. They were sitting on the edge, dipping their feet and hand's into the Water.

It is the centrepiece of the Roman baths, a pool lined with 45 sheets of lead, and filled with hot spa water directly from the Sacred Spring, providing a warm swim.
The bath is lined with 45 thick sheets of lead and is 1.6 metres deep, with access by steps that entirely surround the bath.
A large flat slab of stone is set across the point where hot water flows into the bath. It is known today as the diving stone.

If you visit in the peak season, you will see costumed people around the Great Bath from 10am to 5pm and every afternoon between 1.30pm and 4.30pm in the winter months.

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In the Museum was a display on the "People of Aquae Sulis"...The Roman name for Bath.

It was interesting to see the object's, like the stone head of a Lady from the 1 A.D., and to see how different they look to us! This head was saved from a Tomb and was in very good condition.
Look at the hairstyle, the style of the day back then, was it an "affro" in modern time's?

There is more, even a complete skeleton and lot's of tombstone's showing a large range of people who lived in this area and died in Roman Bath.

The Temple at Bath is one of only two truly classical temples known from Roman Britain. It was the place where the cult statue of the goddess Sulis Minerva was housed.
Not only is the ornamental pediment on display, but an animation of what it would have looked like long ago in Roman time's!
The pediment carries the image of a fearsome head carved in Bath stone and it is thought to be the Gorgon’s head, which was a powerful symbol of the goddess Sulis Minerva.

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What ever you do at the Bath's, don't miss visiting "The Terrace."

The Terrace overlooks the Great Bath and is lined with statues of Roman Governors of Britain, Roman Emperors and military leaders from 1894, and it is from here, that you see the BEST VIEW OF THE GREAT BATH.

The Roman Baths, discovered in the 19th century, cover a huge area, even extending under nearby street's and square's! The Statue's at the Bath's were actually carved before the Roman Bath's in 1897.

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This is what I wanted to see, I had heard and read so much about them.

We arrived at the entrance, paid our admission fee, were given a brochure and free audio-guide and we were on our way.

This is Britain's only hot spring, a magnificent temple and bathing complex which was built by the Roman's. To this very day, it still flows with natural hot water. I sat on the edge of the Roman Bath, just to feel how hot the water was.

There is quite a lot to see here, so leave enough time to see all the Bath's, Courtyard's, Museum and the water's source.
I found it quite amazing to be walking on these old stone's, where Roman's would had done many umpteen year's before me.
The Museum has an extensive display of preserved treasures from the spring and are presented well.
You can even try a glass of Spa water from the fountain.

We visited late in the day, this turned out to be a real good idea, as there was hardly anybody here.
In July & August, the Baths are open from 10am - 9pm

Times vary a lot, so please check out this page...
http://visitbath.co.uk/things-to-do/attractions/roman-baths-p25681

ADMISSION IN 2011....
Adult Single £12.00 per ticket
Adult Single (July & August) £12.75 per ticket

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The whole reason the city is there. The Romans discovered the advantages of the natural mineral hot springs and built a huge complex of Baths and temples. The baths and the city deteriorated but was rediscovered in the 18th Century. The Baths were and continue to be restored and researched. The building that houses it was rebuilt by the Georgians. The Georgian Pump Rooms overlooks the Sacred Spring bath and tea and luncheons are served there. There is a gift shop as well and the museum entry fee comes with a long device which is the audio tour. You punch in numbers that correspond to signs around the complex. It's very good and comes in many languages.

You can see the excavations under the Baths and there are a lot of interactive and informative signs in addition to the recorded guide. There is a diorama/scale model of what the whole complex might have looked like in Roman days as well.

The cost in 2011 prices is £12.00 and the combined ticket with the Fashion museum/Assembly rooms, about a mile away, is £15.50. It's a bit high, but is interesting if you like this kind of thing. I did enjoy the Fashion museum which is a cheaper entrance ticket on its own at £7.25.

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I was wondering whether a visit to the Roman Baths would be an interesting place to visit, since the entrance can seem rather pricey and I didn't have time to find that much information what exactly was going to be in there well ahead. I almost decided not to go, but then realised that once I was in Bath, I might as well go - otherwise I'd be annoyed with myself afterwards.

The decision turned out to be a really good one, since I really enjoyed the visit. The audio tour helped a lot, since you get a commentary about various things you see, but you don't have to listen to all the stuff on it, but you can pick and choose.

There is a wealth of things to see once you're inside. The Great Bath is the centre piece of the Roman bathing establishment. However, there are many other excavated features that are about 6m below the modern street level. The main features of the museum include the mysterious hot spring that was thought to be sacred by the Romans (hence the name "Sacret Spring", and which feeds hot water to the Great Bath), a Roman temple, the bath house and finds from Roman Bath (such as the gilt bronze head of the goddess Sulis Minerva). You'll see things like the great Roman drain that carries water from the Spring and the Great Bath to the River Avon. Even after 2000 years it still performs its original purpose. The drain on the eastern side of the baths was lined originally with wooden boards which are still there!

Definitely worth a visit!!! =)

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The Roman Baths were built over unique hot springs of water. The Romans built a temple To Minerva and bathing complex that still flows with natural hot water. Look down at the green water, from which rises a pervasive smell. Statues are placed round the wall. Then go down below street level and visit the water's source . The extensive ruins and treasures from the spring are preserved and presented well, and information is explained in the audio-guide, which is available in several languages.

Costumed characters [e.g. a Roman soldier and a pilgrim or monk] mingle with visitors every day. As well as archaeological explanations, a children's audioguide and "Bryson at the Baths" audioguide tours are included in the admission price, and make the tour enjoyable..
A special day offer can be obtained which includes 2 hours in a spa and lunch in the Pump Room as well as entry to the Roman Baths , for £55.

Opening 1 Mar 2009 - 30 Jun 2009
Day Opening Times
Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday 09:00 - 17:00
Bank Holiday 09:00 - 17:00
Opening 1 Jul 2009 - 31 Aug 2009
Day Opening Times
Monday 09:00 - 21:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 21:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 21:00
Thursday 09:00 - 21:00
Friday 09:00 - 21:00
Saturday 09:00 - 21:00
Sunday 09:00 - 21:00
Bank Holiday 09:00 - 21:00
Opening 1 Sep 2009 - 31 Oct 2009
Day Opening Times
Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday 09:00 - 17:00
Bank Holiday 09:00 - 17:00
Opening 1 Nov 2009 - 31 Dec 2009
Day Opening Times
Monday 09:30 - 16:30
Tuesday 09:30 - 16:30
Wednesday 09:30 - 16:30
Thursday 09:30 - 16:30
Friday 09:30 - 16:30
Saturday 09:30 - 16:30
Sunday 09:30 - 16:30
Bank Holiday 09:30 - 16:30
Opening 1 Jan 2010 - 28 Feb 2010
Day Opening Times
Monday 09:30 - 16:30
Tuesday 09:30 - 16:30
Wednesday 09:30 - 16:30
Thursday 09:30 - 16:30
Friday 09:30 - 16:30
Saturday 09:30 - 16:30
Sunday 09:30 - 16:30
Tickets Information
Ticket Type Ticket Tariff*
Family (2 Adults + 4 Children) £32.00 per ticket
Adult from £11.00 to £11.50 per ticket
Concession £9.50 per ticket
Child £7.20 per ticket

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Built by Baldwin between 1790 to 1795. This neo-classical salon was once the social hub of Bath.

For over 2,000 years, the secret of the hot spring waters as a curative property has lured visitors to Bath.
Originally, bathing in the waters was the way to be gently restored to health, but in the late 17th century, drinking the waters instead, or as well as was the way to go!

The hot spring waters are drawn into the pump room, and the 43 minerals found in the water can be tasted today.

A pumper, wearing an authentically researched costume of 1795 (the year this pump room opened) will offer you a glass of this apparently 'unusual' tasting water.
I'm afraid I didn't get to try this experience (or am I?) I'd guess 'unusual' means yeuukkk!

The hot waters heat the Roman Baths, and provide heating for the Pump Rooms during winter.

Admission is free - our guided tour ended here, enabling a quick peep at the steaming Roman Bath through a window.

The Pump Room Restaurant is a popular place to eat, with 'old fashioned service' but contempory English cuisine, eaten whilst being serenaded by the Pump Room Trio, or a pianist.

There are also a few antiques on display, including a clock made by Thomas Tompin - presented to the rooms in 1709.