Thermae Bath Spa

Unlike the Roman Baths, Thermae Bath Spa is a working spa complex rather than a tourist attraction and visitors are able to bathe in the waters. It is fed by the same mineral waters as the Roman Baths and parts of the complex, particularly the Cross Bath, are historically significant.

The Thermae Bath Spa complex opened to the public in August 2006 after a 28-year period when it was not possible to bathe in Bath’s mineral waters.

New Royal Bath

The New Royal Bath is the main part of the Thermae Bath Spa complex. It is a modern building designed by Grimshaw Architects and it is built from Bath stone and enveloped in glass.

This is where you will find most of the facilities that are open to the public. These include the two natural thermal baths, including the Minerva Bath and an open-air rooftop pool, plus a wellness suite with spa treatment rooms, steam rooms, a sauna, an ice chamber, the Celestial Relaxation Room and a cafe.

The Cross Bath

The Grade I listed Cross Bath is a historic bathing complex dating primarily from the Georgian era. Although these baths have been used for hundreds of years, they were rebuilt in 1789 by Thomas Baldwin and, more recently, were restored in the 1990s.

The Cross Bath is the most historically significant part of the Thermae Bath Spa complex; however, it is not generally open to the public unless you pay for exclusive access to the bath.

Visiting Thermae Bath Spa

Thermae Bath Spa and the Cross Bath are located in the historic centre of Bath and the complex is only a one-minute walk from The Roman Baths. Most other points of interest in Bath are no more than a 10-minute walk from here.

Visiting the New Royal Bath

A two-hour spa session, which includes access to the open-air rooftop pool, the Minerva Bath and the Wellness Suite, costs £37 on weekdays and £42 on weekends. This admission charge includes the use of a towel, robe and flip flops.

All visitors to the spa are given a smart band, which acts as your locker key and also allows you to pay for extras at the spa including spa treatments and food and drink at the spa’s cafe. Any time spent at the cafe is not deducted from your two-hour spa session and you are also allocated a little extra time for changing, which means that you should allow 2½–3 hours to get the most out of your spa experience.

Visiting the Cross Bath

Admission to the New Royal Bath does not include access to the Cross Bath and you may only visit the Cross Bath by paying £400 for exclusive access to the facility. This gives access to up to six guests (up to another four guests can visit for an additional £10 each) for 1½ hours including two glasses of prosecco per guest.