Beyond the Roman Baths: Bath’s Hidden Roman Secrets
Everyone visits the Roman Baths. They’re spectacular, world-famous, and rightfully Bath’s top attraction. But they’re also just one part of Aquae Sulis—Roman Bath’s full story. The city was a thriving Roman settlement for over 400 years, and evidence of that long history is scattered throughout the modern city if you know where to look.
This guide takes you beyond the tourist complex to the Roman sites that most visitors miss. These aren’t polished, ticketed attractions but authentic remains that tell stories of ordinary Roman life, military presence, and religious practice in what was one of Roman Britain’s most important cities.
1. The Roman Temple on Stall Street
Tucked away beside the entrance to the Roman Baths complex is one of Bath’s most significant Roman sites—the remains of the temple of Sulis Minerva. While the main baths get all the attention, this temple was the spiritual heart of Roman Bath. What you see today are the foundations of the temple’s podium, the very stones where ancient worshippers once stood.
The temple was dedicated to Sulis Minerva—a clever fusion of the local Celtic goddess Sulis and the Roman goddess Minerva. This syncretic approach was typical of Roman religious practice, allowing conquered peoples to maintain aspects of their native beliefs while adopting Roman forms.
What to look for: The temple’s remains are visible through a protective glass panel. You can see the foundation stones and the outline of the building. It’s free to view and remarkably few visitors notice it despite being beside the main entrance.
Location: Beside the Roman Baths entrance, Stall Street, BA1 1LZ
Access: Free, visible 24/7 through glass
2. Bath’s Roman Walls
The Roman walls that once surrounded Aquae Sulis have largely disappeared, but sections survive incorporated into later buildings. Unlike many Roman cities where walls were systematically dismantled, Bath’s were simply built over, creating fascinating palimpsests of different eras.
The most visible section runs along the rear of the Guildhall. Look up as you walk along the High Street—you’ll see Roman stonework clearly distinguishable from the later medieval masonry. The Roman sections are characterised by small stones laid in regular courses, quite different from the larger, more irregular stones of later periods.
Walking tour: Start at the Guildhall, walk along High Street, then down to the Abbey. You’ll see Roman masonry in several places. It requires looking up and spotting the differences, but it’s fascinating when you tune your eye to it.
Location: Various locations around city centre, especially Guildhall area
Access: Free, visible from street level
3. The Roman Villa at Newton St Loe
Three miles from Bath’s city centre lies one of the most significant Roman villas in Britain. Newton St Loe Roman Villa was discovered in the 1860s during railway construction, revealing an extensive complex with bathhouses, mosaics, and residential quarters. Unlike the grandeur of the Roman Baths, this was a private home—where wealthy Roman-Britons actually lived.
The site is managed by the National Trust but operates on a very different model from their major properties. Access is by appointment only, and there’s no visitor centre or polished interpretation. You get keys and let yourself in. It’s remarkably atmospheric—just you, Roman ruins, and sheep grazing nearby.
Hidden gem: The mosaic floor is remarkably well-preserved, depicting geometric patterns typical of Roman Britain. The colours are still vibrant after 1,600 years. Bring a torch—the natural lighting is limited.
Address: Newton St Loe, near Bristol, BS31 4BS
Access: By appointment only (contact National Trust)
4. The Roman Road to Fosse Way
The Fosse Way was one of Roman Britain’s most important roads, running from Exeter to Lincoln. The section passing near Bath is remarkably well-preserved, visible as a raised bank running through fields. This isn’t a Roman “street” but a major highway that would have carried soldiers, traders, and officials across the province.
The best-preserved section runs near Charmy Down, an Iron Age hillfort that the Romans occupied. You can walk the Roman road here, feeling the engineered gradient and the solid foundation that has survived two millennia. It’s a powerful connection to the past—walking where Roman feet walked.
Access tip: Park at Charmy Down and follow the public footpath. The Roman road is clearly visible as a raised earthwork. Combine with a visit to the hillfort for a full Roman military experience.
Location: Near Charmy Down, 4 miles NE of Bath
Access: Free, public footpath access
5. The Roman Baths Museum’s Collections
While the Roman Baths complex itself is the main attraction, the museum’s collections hold thousands of Roman artefacts that most visitors rush past. Take time to study the smaller objects—tools, jewellery, writing tablets—that tell stories of daily life rather than grand architecture.
The curse tablets are particularly fascinating. Thin sheets of lead, inscribed with complaints and curses, these were thrown into the sacred spring. They reveal the human concerns of Roman Bath—stolen property, unrequited love, disputes over money. One curse reads: “I curse the man who stole my cloak. May his eyes rot.”
Museum strategy: Visit early morning or late afternoon when crowds thin. Focus on the small finds rather than the grand architectural features. The small objects tell the most human stories.
Location: Within Roman Baths complex, Stall Street, BA1 1LZ
Access: Included with Roman Baths ticket
6. The Roman Cemetery at Lansdown
Roman Aquae Sulis needed a cemetery, and Lansdown Hill provided the perfect location. Excavations here in the 19th century revealed hundreds of burials, including both cremations and inhumations. The site has been built over, but artefacts from the excavations are held in Bath’s museums and reveal much about Roman burial practices.
The finds include grave goods that reflect beliefs about the afterlife—pottery vessels, personal ornaments, and even food offerings. They show how Roman customs mixed with local British traditions, creating distinctive Romano-British burial rites.
Visible remains: Little is visible on site, but the Lansdown Heritage Centre has displays about the Roman cemetery. Combine with a walk up Lansdown Hill for excellent views over Bath and the surrounding countryside.
Location: Lansdown Hill, Bath, BA1 6AA
Access: Heritage centre free, visible remains limited
7. The Roman Military Presence at Bathampton
The area around Bathampton, just east of Bath, shows evidence of Roman military activity. Excavations have revealed a possible fortlet and a marching camp—temporary bases for soldiers moving through the area. This evidence suggests Bath wasn’t just a civilian settlement but also had a military dimension.
The fortlet would have been a small permanent fort housing a detachment of soldiers, perhaps responsible for guarding the crossing points of the River Avon. The marching camp would have been used by troops on manoeuvres or marching between other forts in the region.
Access: The sites are on private land with no public access, but the Bathampton Heritage Centre has information about the excavations. The area is pleasant for walking and you can imagine the Roman landscape from the footpaths.
Location: Bathampton, 2 miles east of Bath
Access: No direct site access, information at Bathampton Heritage Centre
8. The Roman Amphitheatre Debate
Bath has long been rumoured to have a Roman amphitheatre, but definitive evidence remains elusive. Some archaeologists argue that certain earthworks near the Royal Victoria Park might be an amphitheatre, while others are unconvinced. The debate continues, illustrating how much of Roman Bath remains undiscovered.
What is certain is that a city as important as Aquae Sulis would have had entertainment venues. Whether an amphitheatre, a theatre, or a smaller arena, Roman Bath would have hosted gladiatorial games, theatrical performances, and public spectacles. Finding proof is one of Bath’s great archaeological mysteries.
Getting involved: Keep an eye on Bath’s archaeological news. The site is periodically re-examined with new technology—ground penetrating radar, LiDAR—that might finally settle the question.
Location: Near Royal Victoria Park, Bath, BA1 2NQ
Access: Not confirmed as Roman site
9. The Roman Townhouse at Bath
While most Roman remains in Bath are below ground level, a remarkable exception survives above ground in the form of a Roman townhouse facade incorporated into later buildings. On Walcot Street, a building facade clearly shows Roman architectural elements—the arched windows, the stone voussoirs—preserved because they were too valuable to discard.
This isn’t just decorative imitation—it’s actual Roman masonry reused by later builders. The practice of spoliation (reusing materials from earlier buildings) was common throughout the medieval period. Bath’s Roman buildings provided ready sources of quality stone for medieval masons.
What to spot: Look up on Walcot Street, especially around numbers 80-85. The Roman arches are clearly visible, though they’ve been modified over the centuries. It’s a remarkable survival.
Location: Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BE
Access: Free, visible from street level
10. The Roman Bath in the Museum of Bath Architecture
It sounds contradictory—a Roman bath in the Museum of Bath Architecture—but this small museum holds a fascinating piece of Roman Bath history. A hypocaust (underfloor heating system) discovered during building work has been preserved and displayed, showing how Roman heating worked.
The hypocaust consists of a raised floor supported by piles of tiles, with a furnace at one end to heat the space beneath. Hot air would circulate under the floor, heating the room above. It’s an ingenious system that illustrates Roman engineering sophistication.
Museum details: The museum also has models of Roman Bath and displays about how Roman buildings were constructed. It’s often overlooked in favour of the main Roman Baths complex, making it quieter and more contemplative.
Location: The Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, The Vineyards, BA1 5NA
Access: Small entry fee, check opening hours
Understanding Roman Bath
To appreciate these sites, understand what Roman Bath was like. Founded around AD 60-70, it grew into one of Roman Britain’s most important settlements. The hot springs made it a religious centre—the temple of Sulis Minerva drew pilgrims from across the province. The baths were more than places to wash—they were social centres, religious sanctuaries, and symbols of Roman civilisation.
Aquae Sulis wasn’t just for Romans. It was a Romano-British city where locals and incomers mixed. The architecture, religion, and daily life blended Roman and British elements. That cultural fusion is what makes Roman Bath so fascinating—it’s not just transplanted Rome, but something uniquely British.
Roman Bath Timeline
AD 43-60: Romans arrive in Britain, first mention of the hot springs
AD 60-70: First buildings at Aquae Sulis, temple construction begins
AD 70-100: Bath complex built, town expands around it
AD 100-200: Peak prosperity, townhouses built, suburbs expand
AD 200-300: Continued growth, town becomes wealthy
AD 300-400: Gradual decline, Roman power wanes in Britain
AD 410: Roman army withdraws from Britain, town continues but in reduced form
Practical Information
Weather: Roman remains are mostly outdoors. Bath’s weather is unpredictable—bring waterproof clothing whatever the forecast.
Footwear: Many Roman sites involve walking on uneven ground. Good walking shoes are essential.
Time: Allow at least a full day for the main Roman Baths complex plus half-days for other sites. Spread over two days if you want to see everything properly.
Combination: Many sites are near other Bath attractions. The city centre is compact and easily walkable.
Finding Roman Bath Today
Roman Aquae Sulis isn’t just in museums and fenced sites—it’s built into the fabric of modern Bath. Every stone in the city centre potentially sits on Roman foundations. The street layout, the location of major buildings, even the course of the River Avon—all reflect Roman planning and engineering.
The hot springs that drew Romans to Bath still flow. The water that bubbles up in the Roman Baths is the same natural source Romans worshipped. While you can’t bathe in the main Roman pool, the modern Thermae Bath Spa uses the same water. Bathing there is genuinely connecting with 2,000 years of continuous use.
The Legacy of Roman Bath
The Roman period in Bath lasted about 350 years, but its influence persists. The city’s name comes from the Roman baths. The tourism industry that defines modern Bath began with Roman pilgrims. Even the Georgian architecture that Bath is famous for references Roman forms—columns, pediments, classical proportions.
But the most profound legacy is Bath’s identity as a place of healing and relaxation. Roman Bath was where you came to restore body and spirit. Modern Bath continues that tradition. When you soak in the thermal waters today, you’re participating in a ritual that began two millennia ago.
Responsible Exploration
Roman sites are fragile heritage. Follow these guidelines:
- Don’t climb on walls or structures
- Take only photos, leave only footprints
- Report any discoveries to the Portable Antiquities Scheme
- Respect private land and access restrictions
- Support local museums—donations help preserve the collections
A Final Thought
The Roman Baths complex is magnificent and absolutely worth visiting. But don’t let it be your only Roman experience in Bath. The city’s Roman past is deeper, richer, and more complex than what you see in the ticketed attraction. By seeking out these lesser-known sites, you connect with the real Roman Bath—the city where Romans and Britons lived, worked, worshipped, and died.
Aquae Sulis isn’t just a museum exhibit. It was a living, breathing city of real people. And its story continues to be written—archaeologists make new discoveries every year. Perhaps you’ll witness a new find that changes our understanding of Roman Bath. That’s the magic of archaeology: the past isn’t fixed, it’s constantly being rediscovered.
Bath’s Roman heritage extends far beyond the famous baths. This guide reveals the hidden corners of Aquae Sulis, offering a deeper understanding of one of Britain’s most important Roman cities. Explore these sites and discover that the Roman past isn’t history—it’s present in every stone of modern Bath.