The Roman Baths — Attraction in Bath

This is how you present history to visitors! The whole experience was A*, from the content & layout of the exhibits to the excellent guided tour! Myself and my partner visited on Sunday 15th December 24. Once you are signed in, you can pick up a free audio guide just before you head into the site. The audio guide was easy to use, provided plenty of information on what you were looking at and was flexible as you used it as much or as little as you like. As you walk through the museum & site itself, you’ll be surprised by the amount of content and how well it is presented. One particular section I really enjoyed was where you walk on elevated walkways above the original Roman floor, which was an open courtyard area that sat in front of the temple of Sulis Minerva. Following this you come across the ancient drainage system, that still is in use today! It’s phenomenal, and really brings to life the genius of the Romans. All this is before you even enter the great bath! I was already blown away at this point, but next comes the great bath. I’ve travelled to many historical sites across Europe, and unexpectedly to me, here is where I found I was able to really imagine all that happened around where I was stood all that time ago. At this point this experience was already 10/10, however the guided tour which we only paid an additional £5pp for elevated the experience even more! We were incredibly lucky to have a fantastic guide named Rachel! Knowledgeable, funny and most importantly passionate! You could tell she loved her role, and when you have a member of staff like this then they are worth their weight in gold! I can’t comment on the other guides, but I’m sure they are great also! Rachel was happy to teach us about life in the bathhouse all those years ago, our tour which was only supposed to be an hour lasted 1 hour 30mins! I’m sure this can’t always be expected so please don’t expect this when you arrive, we were just lucky this day! Even if it lasted an hour, it would’ve been worth it 100%! Following a lengthy tour, and despite it being her last of the day she still took time afterwards to take photos and give us recommendations on where to eat that night (which we listened to , and enjoyed a fantastic meal and drinks at the Raven pub!). I hope she gets some recognition for being so great! Thank you Rachel! Overall, this was just a fantastic experience from start to finish. I couldn’t believe it took us this long to visit, despite the fact we only live 2 hours away in Swansea! An absolute must do in bath!! I recall Rachel saying they were planning to do some reworking of the museum etc, all I can say is keep the format similar or the same but modernise if there is room to do so (maybe updated visuals for the screens, new recordings for the audio guide etc) I genuinely believe the layout, audio guide and guided tour are great and serve the purpose they are intended for well! Don’t fix what ain’t broke comes to mind! Again thank you Rachel, and thanks to everyone who has ever played a part in creating this whole...

“Rolling Through History… Until the Pool Tried to Eat My Wheels”

As a wheelchair user, I rolled into the Roman Baths in Bath expecting a gentle glide through history. And for the most part, that’s exactly what I got — gorgeous architecture, fascinating little nooks and crannies, and the feeling that you’re wandering through a living museum. You can tell they’ve genuinely tried to make it as accessible as possible, and for most of the site, it’s smooth sailing.

Then… we reached the pool.

Now, I’m not saying the poolside is a trap, but if the Romans had designed it to keep out invading wheelchairs, they couldn’t have done a better job. The surface is uneven, full of holes that could swallow a small wheel whole, and sloped in ways that made me question whether I’d accidentally signed up for a stunt show. At one point, I nearly tipped backwards — which would have been a very dramatic way to become part of the exhibit.

If I didn’t have my strong (and stubborn) partner pushing me, I’d have given up halfway. Honestly, he deserves a medal — or at least a laurel wreath — for sheer determination. Without him, I’d still be parked at the edge, gazing longingly at the water like a Victorian heroine staring out to sea.

You also can’t get all the way around the pool, so if you’re hoping for a full lap, prepare for disappointment. It’s more of a “peek and retreat” situation. My advice: admire it from the safer viewing points unless you’re feeling particularly brave, have a partner with gladiator‑level biceps, or fancy adding “nearly capsized in a UNESCO World Heritage Site” to your life story.

On the plus side, the staff were absolutely lovely — friendly, helpful, and clearly doing their best to make the experience work for everyone. They’re the kind of people who make you feel welcome, even when the 2,000‑year‑old flooring is doing its best to eject you.

Final verdict: The Roman Baths are stunning and absolutely worth visiting. Just be aware that the poolside is less “relaxing spa” and more “extreme sports for wheelchairs.” If you’re in an electric chair, I’d skip going down there entirely — unless you’ve got nerves of steel and a partner who moonlights as a...

I just got back from a trip to Bath and I have to say, the Roman Baths were one of the absolute highlights. I paid £28 for my ticket, which seemed a little pricey at first, but by the end of the visit, I genuinely felt like it was money well spent. The place is packed with history and the whole experience is incredibly immersive.

Right from the entrance, it feels like you’re stepping into another world. The steam rising from the water, the ancient stone all around you, and those towering statues overlooking the main bath – it’s surreal. The central bath area especially took my breath away. The greenish water reflecting the old stonework and columns gave the whole place such a unique atmosphere.

One of the things I really enjoyed was the audio guide they give you. It’s super easy to use, and the information is genuinely interesting. You can walk around at your own pace and learn all about the Romans who used the baths, how the place was built, and what it meant to people at the time. There’s even a version with commentary by Bill Bryson which adds a nice touch of humour.

The museum section is brilliant too. They’ve got all sorts of Roman artifacts on display – coins, jewellery, pottery, tools, and even little tablets with curses written on them. Apparently, people used to write messages to the gods asking for revenge on people who’d stolen from them. Some of the things written on them were unexpectedly funny and made the whole thing feel very real and human.

Overall, I spent about an hour and a half to two hours there, just taking my time and enjoying the history. I’d definitely recommend booking your ticket in advance, especially during busier times, because it can get quite packed.

If you’re visiting Bath, you absolutely shouldn’t miss the Roman Baths. The history, the atmosphere, and the chance to walk through such a well-preserved ancient site make it a...