The Roman Baths in the centre of Bath are one of the best-preserved Roman bathing complexes in the world, built around a hot spring the Romans dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva. Entry is by timed ticket. Until 31 October 2026 an adult ticket booked in advance costs £26.50 on weekdays and £29 at weekends; from 1 November to 18 December it drops to £23.50 and £26.50. Tickets on the day cost £2 more. In September and October the Baths open daily 9:00–18:00, with last admission at 17:00. The water is untreated, so you can look but not swim; for a dip, book Thermae Bath Spa.
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Tickets and tours for Roman Baths
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Why the Roman Baths matter
Hot water has bubbled up here for thousands of years, and the Romans built a temple and a great bathing complex around it in the decades after their conquest of Britain, naming the town Aquae Sulis. Pilgrims came from across Britain and the wider empire to bathe and to ask the goddess for help, throwing offerings and curses written on lead into the Sacred Spring. The remains lie about six metres below today’s streets and were rediscovered from the 18th century; the gilt bronze head of Minerva was found in 1727. The Baths sit at the heart of the City of Bath UNESCO World Heritage Site, beside Bath Abbey and the Georgian Pump Room.
What you’ll see
- The Great Bath: the steaming, green open-air pool at the centre of the complex, still lined with its original Roman paving and surrounded by a Victorian terrace of statues.
- The Sacred Spring: where the hot water rises, the spiritual heart of the site.
- The Temple of Sulis Minerva: the courtyard and the famous pediment with its glaring Gorgon’s head.
- The museum: the gilt bronze head of Minerva, one of only a handful of gilt bronze sculptures from Roman Britain, plus tombstones, coins and the curse tablets. One gallery includes human remains.
- The East Baths and the heated rooms: the warm and hot rooms, with the pillars that held up the floors over the hot air.
- A taste of the water: at the end of your visit you can try the spa water, which carries 43 minerals and has a sharp, metallic tang.
Tickets and how to visit
Prices and rules from the Roman Baths’ official website, as of October 2026 (advance prices, weekday / weekend and bank holiday):
- 1 September to 31 October 2026: adults (19+) £26.50 / £29; students and over-65s £25.50 / £28; children 6–18 £19.50 / £22; family of two adults and two to four children £69 / £77.
- 1 November to 18 December 2026: adults £23.50 / £26.50; students and over-65s £22.50 / £25.50; children £16.50 / £19.50; family of two adults and two to four children £59 / £69.
- On the day: £2 more than the advance price, and only if slots remain. Booking at least 24 hours ahead is recommended, as tickets often sell out in summer, at weekends and in school holidays. UK residents on certain benefits can book £1 tickets.
- Timed entry: join the queue at your slot; you may wait up to 15 minutes at busy times. The route is one-way and there is no re-entry.
- Guided tours: one-hour shared tours start at the Great Bath every hour from 10:00 to 15:00, cost £8 on top of your ticket (free for under-6s) and take up to 16 people. Private tours cost £80 per group.
- Audio guides: included, in 13 languages, plus a children’s audioguide read by Michael Rosen, a British Sign Language guide and an audio-described version.
- Hours: 9:00–18:00 daily in September and October, last admission 17:00; open every day except 25 and 26 December. Summer evenings run later; check the official site for winter times.
Bags, buggies and what to leave behind
Everyone walks single-file through a security detector at the entrance, and bags may be searched. Backpacks of up to 30 litres are allowed and must stay with you; luggage, large rucksacks and pull-along cases are not allowed, and there is no luggage storage or coat storage on site (the nearest is the Bath Luggage Storage Centre). Food and drink are not allowed, apart from water in a closed bottle. Pushchairs must be left in the reception hall because of steep steps and narrow walkways, so bring a baby carrier. The Roman paving around the Great Bath is uneven and can be slippery.
Accessibility
About 90% of the site is accessible to wheelchair users, with four lifts to the mezzanine, the lower museum, the Great Bath and the East Baths, but some steps remain because the Baths lie six metres below street level. For safety, only four wheelchair users can be on the lower levels at once, so call the customer service team on 01225 477785 before you visit. Lifts are up to 1,200 mm wide; scooters wider than that won’t fit. Parts of the route are underground, narrow and dimly lit, and staff can show an alternative route if you feel claustrophobic.
When to go and getting there
Weekday mornings are the quietest time outside the summer holidays; from mid-July to August, go before 10:00 or in the evening. Weekdays are also cheaper. The Baths are in Abbey Churchyard, a five- to ten-minute walk from Bath Spa rail and bus station; trains from London Paddington take about an hour and a half. There is no parking at the Baths; use the city car parks or Park and Ride.
Combine it with
Bath Abbey stands next door; the Royal Crescent is a pleasant 900-metre walk away via the Circus; and Thermae Bath Spa, a few minutes away, lets you bathe in the same spring water in its rooftop pool. For a full day out, take a trip to Stonehenge or the Cotswolds. Plan the rest of your stay with our Bath travel guide, and see our city sightseeing guide.
Roman Baths FAQ
How much are tickets for the Roman Baths?
As of October 2026, an advance adult ticket costs £26.50 on weekdays and £29 at weekends until 31 October, then £23.50 and £26.50 from 1 November to 18 December. On the day it costs £2 more.
Do I need to book the Roman Baths in advance?
It is strongly recommended. Entry is by timed slot, tickets often sell out at weekends, in school holidays and in summer, and booking ahead is £2 cheaper.
Can you swim in the Roman Baths?
No. The water is untreated and unsafe to touch or drink from the baths. Thermae Bath Spa nearby uses the same spring water, treated for bathing.
How long does a visit to the Roman Baths take?
Most people spend about two hours with the included audio guide. Add an hour if you join a guided tour, which costs £8.
Can I bring a backpack or suitcase?
Backpacks of up to 30 litres are fine. Suitcases, pull-along cases and large rucksacks are not allowed, and there is no luggage storage on site.
Are the Roman Baths wheelchair accessible?
About 90% of the site is, with four lifts. Only four wheelchair users can be on the lower levels at once, so call 01225 477785 before your visit.