Roman Baths and Pump Room
Hot baths, steam rooms, sauna, plunge pools and massage rooms, the Romans certainly knew how to pamper themselves. Standing by the colonnaded aqua pool in Bath, it’s impossible not to admire this noble race of master builders, engineers and designers. Decorated with mosaics, kept warm with under-floor heating and plenty of space to meet friends, the very walls whisper to the sound of philosophers debating, soldiers swapping bawdy stories and womenfolk plotting and scheming.
Founded on three natural springs, legend has it that the healing properties of the waters were first noticed when King Lear’s father, the leper Prince Bladud was healed after wallowing in hot mud. Whether this is true or not, no one knows but what is certain is that many years before the Romans arrived, the Celts honoured the springs by erecting a shrine to their Goddess Sulis, after whom the Roman’s named the town, Aquae Sulis.
The invading Roman army reached Bath in about 50AD and almost immediately began to build this fantastic complex which incorporated a Temple and Courtyard, fragments of which have been found, in addition to the marvellous spa facilities. Sadly the Empire was already crumbling and by 500AD the magnificent buildings had begun to collapse. Soon the Roman Baths were forgotten amid the strife and turmoil of warring Lords and ambitious Royals and most of the complex was built over by successive generations.
It was not until the early 18th century that the spring waters and their healing properties were rediscovered by Georgian society. The first Pump Room, built in 1705, soon became too small as the sick and infirm queued with the rich and famous to ‘take-the-waters’. In 1795 Thomas Baldwin and John Palmer designed and built the building that stands to this day and still dispenses spa water, but be warned, the heavy mineral content is not to everyone’s taste.
Plan your visit to the Roman Baths
- Roman Baths Hotels - hotels convenient for the Roman Baths
