Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and the spa: what to book

The answer first

Yes, book the Roman Baths in advance. Entry is by timed slot, and the venue asks for at least 24 hours’ notice [2]. Bath Abbey is next door and the Thermae Bath Spa is a separate, bookable session across town. We could not read Bath Abbey’s own visiting page, so check it yourself before you plan around it.

Roman Baths: how booking works

Your ticket carries a time slot. Without a ticket and slot you cannot join the queue or go in [2]. The venue says tickets often sell out, especially in summer, and recommends booking at least 24 hours ahead. If tickets remain, you can buy online on the day [2].

Buy only from the official site. The Roman Baths home page warns about a fraudulent website selling discounted tickets and says tickets are sold only through romanbaths.co.uk [3].

Go to the entrance in Abbey Church Yard, next to Bath Abbey, a little before your slot [1]. Allow up to 15 minutes to get in after your booked time [1]. Visitors pass through a security check before scanning tickets [1].

Bags: the trap

This catches people arriving by train. The Roman Baths allows only backpacks up to 30 litres, which you must keep with you. Luggage, large rucksacks, pull-along cases and wheeled shopping trolleys are not allowed. There is no luggage storage on site, and the venue names Bath Luggage Storage Centre as the nearest option [1]. Staff may search bags. Food and drink are not allowed, except water in a secure bottle [1].

Time and what is included

The venue suggests 90 minutes to two hours, and warns that the last slots of the day may not leave enough time [2]. An audioguide comes with admission in a choice of languages, including a children’s version [1].

One-hour guided tours start from the Great Bath. The venue advises buying your entry ticket at least an hour before the tour time [1].

Wear shoes with grip. The paving around the Great Bath is original Roman stone, uneven and slippery in places. Pushchairs must be left in the main reception hall because of steep steps and narrow walkways [1].

Bath Abbey

The Abbey stands beside the Roman Baths entrance [1], so it fits easily before or after your slot. The official visiting page would not load for us, so we cannot tell you here how entry, tours or tower visits are booked. Look at the Abbey’s website for your date. Check it for services and events that could change access.

Thermae Bath Spa

This is not a museum. The spa calls itself Britain’s original natural thermal spa, with an open-air rooftop pool you can use by day or by night [4]. The Main Spa is the New Royal Bath, and the Cross Bath is a separate session [4].

What to know before booking:

• The standard Thermae Welcome session lasts two hours and covers the rooftop pool, the indoor Minerva pool and the Wellness Suite [5].
• The Main Spa does not admit anyone under 16 [5]. Treatments need guests aged 18 or over, with proof of age [4].
• Bring swimwear and flip-flops or sliders. Towel and robe are provided [5].
• Phones go in a locked pouch kept in your locker [5].
• Sessions can be booked online or by phone. Treatments and packages are phone only. Some slots are released on the day for walk-ins [5].

Check closures. When we looked on 25 Oct 2026, the spa’s home page said it was closed that weekend for technical issues, and that the reservations team would contact booked customers [4].

A sensible order

This is our suggestion. Take an early Roman Baths slot, leaving your luggage at your accommodation or the storage centre first. Visit the Abbey afterwards, once you know how long the Baths took. Book the spa for late afternoon or evening, when the rooftop pool is the point of the visit and you do not need to be anywhere else.

Prices change, so we have left them out. Each venue’s own booking page shows the current figures. See also our Abbey & Roman Baths guide.

Places in this article

Photos from our guides; each links to the page that lists the place.