The Roman Baths

Ever wanted to travel back in time, more specifically, 2000 years ago? Discover one of the finest spas of the ancient world at The Roman Baths! This October half term untangle the ancient myth of Minerva and Arcahne.

Follow the Spooky Spider Trail and come face to face with our own statue of Minerva. Join our family drop-in sessions as part of your museum ticket. Create a mosaic pumpkin or spooky spider to take home as a Halloween keepsake.

Shop for a creepy crawly gift - or brush up on ancient myths with one of the children’s books on sale in our shop. Step into the boots of an archaeologist in our popular Archaeology Adventures sessions (additional charge, pre-booking) Walk on Roman pavements, explore the historic bathhouses, get up close to the golden goddess Minerva, and discover how the people of Britain lived, worked and played in Aquae Sulis (the Roman name for Bath). Meet with costumed characters and learn about daily life in ancient Aquae Sulis (as Bath was called), listen to the children's audioguide narrated by Michael Rosen, follow a themed trail and see how our projections bring the ancient site to life.

A range of family tickets are available Now you've had a brief taster, let's jump into your Roman Baths Guide... History of the Roman Baths The Roman Baths were built in the middle of the 1st Century CE but fell into ruin when the Romans left and was only rediscovered in 1878 by Major Charles Davis! The Roman Baths are located at the heart of the World Heritage City of Bath.

Here, the Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex on the site of Britain’s only hot spring, which still flows with natural hot water today. Discover the Sacred Spring that has risen for thousands of years at the heart of the site and follow its mineral-rich waters as they flow through the ingenious Roman plumbing to fill the many baths and pools. This spring is in the middle of the site.

Watch the heat rise from the natural hot spring - it's 46° C, so it’s hotter than the water in your bath! Believing the warm waters to be sacred, the Romans dedicated the site to Sulis Minerva, goddess of wisdom. They built a temple to honour her and altars for worship and sacrifice.

As one of only two classical temples remaining from Roman Britain, this is a place with real historical significance. Things To Do Marvel at the striking gilt-bronze head of the goddess Minerva - one of the most iconic and rare treasures of Roman Britain. Spot the famous Gorgon's head that dominates the Temple pediment, and learn about the curse tablets which were thrown into the Sacred Spring to seek revenge on those who had committed wrongdoings.

The beautiful Great Bath is the centrepiece of the complex, with its ornate columns and a deep sense of what has gone before. See where the Romans kept fit in the remains of a gym and Laconicum (sauna) and learn about the exercises they did and their attitudes to health and well-being. That's right - communal exercise was a thing thousands of years ago, too!

Wander the walkways, while away time by the waters, and you'll get a unique perspective on what it would have been like to slip into these inviting baths. You'll even get a chance to taste the famous water. Step into the world of Ancient Rome at the historic Roman Baths!

Take your little ones on a journey through time and walk in the footsteps of the Romans who used to live and work there over 2000 years ago. Meet a rich Roman lady called Flavia, stonemasons Sulinus and Brucetus, or a travelling merchant named Peregrinus. Listen to each real-life story and prepare to be immersed in Ancient Roman Britain.

A visit to the Roman Baths is a great educational experience for all the family. You’ll be equipped with a free audio guide, specially designed for kids, so you can listen to tales of the past as you wander around and explore. Got younger kids?

The tiniest visitors just love the family activity trails, which follow the adventures of Hoot the Owl. Check out The Beau Street Hoard! This collection of more than 17,000 Roman coins was recently discovered in Beau Street, Bath, and is now on display in the museum.

Plug your ears into award-winning audio guides - there are 13 languages available! There is a special audio guide for children, narrated by Michael Rosen. All this is included in your ticket price!

Seasonal Activities Follow the Spooky Spider Trail. Take part in free drop-in family crafts from 27-31 October, 2-4pm Do you have an inspiring archaeologist? Archaeology Adventures run during the school holidays.