Thermae Bath Spa Review: Everything You Need to Know For Your Visit

Looking for an honest Thermae Bath Spa review? I visited the spa in Bath to experience the rooftop pool, Minerva Bath, steam rooms and Wellness Suite and here’s exactly what it’s like, what your ticket includes, what to bring, the best time to go and whether I think Thermae Bath Spa is actually worth it.

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Right in the middle of Bath, there’s a rooftop pool filled with naturally warm thermal water where you can float above the city’s chimneys and honey-coloured stone.

Which feels appropriately Bath.

I’ve returned to the city countless times since moving to the UK from the East Coast of the US in 2016, and the thing that makes Bath different from almost every other beautiful Georgian city is that the water underneath it is not simply history.

You can still get in it!

The Romans built Aquae Sulis around Bath’s hot springs almost two thousand years ago. Georgian visitors later turned “taking the waters” into an entire social calendar.

And today, Thermae Bath Spa lets you bathe in the same natural thermal resource in a very twenty-first-century setting of glass, steam rooms, massage jets and a rather lovely rooftop pool.

I visited as media before the spa opened to the public for the day—which is also why you’ll see photos in this review despite Thermae’s no-phone policy—and came away thinking it was 100% worth doing at least once.

But I’d set expectations before you go. This is a busy city spa rather than a silent country-house retreat. Your standard session is two hours, and there are a few things I would absolutely know beforehand to make those two hours count.

Without further ado, here’s my Thermae Bath Spa review and everything I wish every first-time visitor knew.

Shall we?

About the Author

Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.

On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.

P.S. – For more trip inspiration, travel videos, and behind-the-scenes adventures, be sure to follow along (and say hello, if you fancy) on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.

🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.

Quick Overview: Thermae Bath Spa Review

Prices and opening times are accurate at the time of writing; check the current Thermae Spa Session Details for your trip.

A Little History on Bath’s Thermal Springs

Bath’s spa story goes much deeper than the Romans.

Rainwater fell on the surrounding hills around 10,000 years ago, sank roughly two kilometres beneath the earth and was heated by hot rocks before rising through the city’s three main springs: the King’s Spring, Cross Spring and Hetling Spring.

By the time the water reaches the surface, it averages around 45°C before being cooled to roughly 34°C for bathing.

The Romans developed Aquae Sulis around the springs from the first century AD, building baths and a temple to Sulis Minerva. Centuries later, Bath’s waters became fashionable again: royalty and aristocrats travelled here to drink and bathe in them, and that renewed spa culture helped set up the Georgian transformation that gave Bath the crescents and ceremonial streets you see today.

The modern story is stranger than you might expect. Bath’s Beau Street swimming bath closed in 1978, and the city then went for almost 30 years without public thermal bathing. Thermae Bath Spa finally reopened that chapter in August 2006.

That history is why I’d pair Thermae with the Roman Baths rather than treating them as competing attractions.

One explains what Bath’s water meant two thousand years ago; the other lets you experience why people still want to get in it!

Is Thermae Bath Spa Worth It?

For me, yes.

I wouldn’t tell you it’s the most secluded or elaborate spa you’ll ever visit, but the reason Thermae Bath Spa is special is Bath itself.

There are very few places where you can spend the morning looking down into the Roman Baths, learn how Aquae Sulis developed around the hot springs, then walk a few streets away and actually get into Bath’s natural thermal waters yourself.

The rooftop pool is also what makes the ticket worth it for me. With warm water, open air and a view over the city’s Bath-stone rooftops, it feels inseparable from being here rather than something you could swap for any hotel spa in England.

The caveat is crowds. Thermae is a central Bath attraction, not an enormous resort, and weekend sessions can feel busy. If your definition of a spa day requires complete silence and acres of empty loungers, I’d look at a hotel spa instead (like The Gainsborough or The Spa at The Royal Crescent Hotel).

My recommendation: If you are going to the spa, I’d make it part of a wider Bath trip rather than rushing in and out from London. Use my 2-day Bath itinerary for enough time to experience the Roman city, Georgian streets and an unrushed spa session without sacrificing any sightseeing.

What Does a Thermae Bath Spa Ticket Include?

The standard Thermae Welcome is a two-hour session in the New Royal Bath.

At the time of writing, it costs £44 Monday–Friday and £49 Saturday–Sunday and includes:

• Open-air rooftop pool
• Indoor Minerva Bath
• Multi-sensory Wellness Suite
• Springs Café access
• Towel and robe

Your treatment time is additional if you add a treatment package, rather than being carved out of the two-hour spa session.

One thing to note: slippers are not included. Bring your own clean flip-flops or sliders—they also sell slippers if you arrive without footwear.

What to Experience at Thermae Bath Spa

1. The Open-Air Rooftop Pool

This is the bit I’d save time for.

The rooftop pool sits in the open air above central Bath, with warm mineral-rich water, air seats, bubbling jets and views towards the city skyline and surrounding hills.

It’s lovely in daylight, but I can completely understand why the Thermae Bath Spa Twilight package is so popular—floating in the water as the light goes down over Georgian Bath is pretty spectacular.

And unlike the historic Roman Baths nearby—which you visit as an archaeological site—this is water you can actually bathe in, like the Romans did!

2. The Minerva Bath & Lazy River

Downstairs, the Minerva Bath is the largest of Thermae’s thermal baths and named after Sulis Minerva, the goddess at the centre of Roman Bath’s sacred spring.

The pool is curved around huge columns with whirlpool areas, neck-massage jets, air benches and a gentle current around the edges that works like a lazy river.

3. The Wellness Suite & Steam Rooms

The Wellness Suite is on the second floor and comes with the standard New Royal Bath session.

Inside you’ll find the Roman Steam Room, Georgian Steam Room, Infrared Room, Ice Chamber, Celestial Relaxation Room and Experience Showers.

The Roman and Georgian steam rooms are a particularly Bath-specific touch rather than anonymous spa rooms with mood lighting (I usually like using the steam rooms and Ice Chamber between the two pools).

P.S. – Free drinking-water fountains are available around the spa, and I would use them!

4. The Cross Bath

The Cross Bath is separate from the main New Royal Bath and much more intimate.

The Grade I-listed Georgian building stands over an ancient Roman cistern and has its own Cross Spring feeding the open-air oval pool. You can currently use it in two ways: individual 90-minute swim sessions on Tuesdays, or exclusive hire for a small group of up to ten.

If you’re only visiting once, I’d prioritise the New Royal Bath first because that’s where you get the rooftop pool, Minerva Bath and Wellness Suite all together.

Treatments & Thermae Bath Spa Packages

You don’t need a treatment to enjoy Thermae Bath Spa as the standard two-hour session already gives you the pools and Wellness Suite.

But if you do want to turn it into more of a spa day, you can add treatments and packages with massages, facials or longer treatment rituals to your day. The treatment time is added to your normal spa time, so you aren’t losing 50 minutes of the rooftop pool because you booked a massage.

Treatments are for guests aged 18+, and Thermae recommends booking them in advance rather than relying on availability when you arrive.

What About the Thermae Bath Spa Twilight Package?

The Twilight package is the evening option, combining a two-hour spa session with food and a drink in Springs Café.

This is the one I’d consider for a romantic Bath weekend because the rooftop pool becomes much more atmospheric towards sunset and after dark (Friday evenings are particularly popular, so I would reserve well ahead).

Springs Café at Thermae Bath Spa

Photo Courtesy of Thermae Bath Spa

Springs Café is inside the spa for light bites, sandwiches, cakes and drinks.

You wear your robe into the café and charge anything you order to your SmartBand, then pay when you leave.

The useful bit is that café time is additional to your two-hour spa session, so sitting down for something to eat doesn’t eat into your pool time.

I personally wouldn’t make Springs Café the food event of my Bath trip—there are too many excellent Bath restaurants outside—but it’s useful if your session falls over lunch or you’ve chosen a Twilight/package option that includes food.

How I’d Spend a 2-Hour Thermae Bath Spa Session

Two hours sounds generous until you start moving between floors, deciding where to go and realising you’ve spent 35 minutes talking in one pool.

I’d loosely divide it like this:

• First 30–40 minutes: Minerva Bath, lazy river and massage jets.
• Next 30 minutes: Roman/Georgian steam rooms, Infrared Room and Ice Chamber.
• Final 45–60 minutes: rooftop pool. This is the experience I would least want to rush!

Practical Tips for Visiting Thermae Bath Spa

Bring Swimwear and Your Own Footwear

Swimwear is required throughout the spa facilities. A towel and robe are included, but footwear is not, so bring clean flip-flops or sliders.

Your Phone Stays Away

Thermae has a no-phone policy to protect guests’ privacy and keep the atmosphere calmer, so personal photography isn’t allowed inside the spa.

I visited as media before the spa opened to the public, which is why this article has Thermae Bath Spa photos from inside!

Use the Lockers & SmartBand

Your belongings go into a locker and your SmartBand handles things like the locker and café purchases, so there is very little you need to carry around.

Go Midweek if You Can

If a quiet spa is important to you, my preference would be a weekday morning. Thermae’s central location makes weekends naturally busier, and the spa itself says walk-in sessions operate through a virtual queue once pre-booked capacity fills.

Don’t Rely on Walking In

You can sometimes turn up: Thermae keeps additional walk-in spa sessions and allocates the next available slot via a virtual queue.

But if your Bath itinerary depends on a specific time, I would pre-book rather than losing a chunk of the day waiting for whatever remains.

Check Health Guidance Before You Go

If you’re pregnant or have certain medical conditions, check Thermae’s guidance before using the thermal water, steam rooms or massage jets. Read their current guidelines and speak to your doctor if the guidance applies to you.

Getting to Thermae Bath Spa

Thermae Bath Spa is on Hot Bath Street in the city centre, roughly a 10-minute walk from Bath Spa station.

If you’re coming from London, the direct train from Paddington makes this particularly easy. My London to Bath guide compares the train, coach, car and tour options, or you can compare London–Bath train tickets here.

If you drive, Thermae does not have its own car park. But SouthGate car park is one of the closest central options.

Other Spas in Bath to Consider

The Gainsborough

Thermae is the one I’d choose if you specifically want the big public thermal-water experience and that rooftop view. But Bath has several very good hotel spas too that make more sense for different kinds of spa days.

The Gainsborough Bath Spa — Best Alternative for Thermal Waters

If the thermal water is what interests you most but you want something more intimate and hotel-like than Thermae, this is the obvious comparison. Spa Village Bath also uses Bath’s natural thermal water, with three thermal baths, traditional and infrared saunas, a steam room, ice alcove and relaxation areas beneath a glass atrium.

It’s a much more polished spa-day proposition than simply buying a two-hour public bathing session, and especially worth looking at if the spa itself is a major part of your Bath trip.

The Spa at No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath — Best for Treatments & Couples

This is a very different experience from Thermae. There’s no swimming pool, sauna or steam room; instead, The Spa at No.15 is all about massages, facials, rituals and its oversized Copper Bath experience for two.

I’d look here if you want a treatment-led afternoon rather than several hours moving between wet facilities—especially if you’re already staying at No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath.

The Spa at The Royal Crescent Hotel — Best Classic Hotel Spa

For the traditional luxury-hotel-spa version of Bath, The Spa at The Royal Crescent Hotel has a 12-metre heated relaxation pool, vitality pool with massage jets, sauna and steam room inside its historic Georgian Bath House.

This is the one I’d compare with Thermae if your priority is a quieter spa day with treatments and proper hotel-spa facilities rather than bathing specifically in Bath’s natural spring water.

Homewood Spa — Best for a Countryside Spa Day

If you’d rather leave the city behind entirely, Homewood Spa sits outside central Bath with Somerset countryside views, indoor hydrotherapy, a heated outdoor pool, vitality pool, sauna and steam facilities.

I’d choose it if your goal is an actual countryside spa escape rather than fitting a spa into a day of Bath sightseeing.

In short: Go to Thermae for the rooftop and public thermal-water experience; The Gainsborough for a more luxurious thermal-water spa; No.15 for treatments and couples; The Royal Crescent for a classic hotel spa; and Homewood when you want countryside around you.

Where to Stay Near Thermae Bath Spa

Thermae Bath Spa is a day spa, not a hotel—but I’d definitely suggest staying overnight after your spa day in Bath.

Hotel Indigo Bath is my practical pick: very close to Bath Spa station, central for Thermae and easy if you’re travelling with an overnight bag.

No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath is the one I’d choose for more character and a longer Bath weekend, particularly if you want to combine Thermae with Great Pulteney Street and The Holburne Museum side of the city.

My best hotels in Bath guide compares both in more detail.

Final Thoughts: My Thermae Bath Spa Review

I personally found Thermae Bath Spa 100% worth it.

Not because it is the biggest spa or the quietest spa or because every room is something you couldn’t find elsewhere.

But because you are in Bath!

The city exists in the form we know because people have been drawn to these thermal springs for centuries: Romans building a sanctuary around Sulis Minerva, medieval visitors coming for the waters, Georgian society remaking Bath into a fashionable spa city. And at least to me, that makes it quite the reason to visit.

Go midweek if possible, bring your own flip-flops, dip into the Minerva Bath and lazy river, and save plenty of time for the rooftop.

And don’t forget to combine it with all the other historic and lovely things to do in the city.

Have the best spa day!

Happy travels,

Candace x

FAQ: Thermae Bath Spa

Is Thermae Bath Spa Worth It?

Yes, I personally found Thermae Bath Spa worth it, particularly for the open-air rooftop pool and the chance to bathe in Bath’s natural thermal waters. I would go midweek if you want a quieter experience and treat it as a distinctly Bath experience rather than expecting a secluded resort spa.

How Much Does Thermae Bath Spa Cost?

At the time of writing, a standard two-hour Thermae Welcome session costs £44 Monday–Friday and £49 Saturday–Sunday. Treatment and Twilight packages cost more. Check current Thermae Bath Spa tickets and prices before your visit.

What Does a Thermae Bath Spa Ticket Include?

A standard two-hour session includes the rooftop pool, Minerva Bath, Wellness Suite and access to Springs Café, plus use of a towel and robe. Bring your own swimwear and footwear.

What Is the Best Time of Day to Visit Thermae Bath Spa?

I’d choose a midweek morning if avoiding crowds matters most. For atmosphere, a late-afternoon or Twilight visit gives you the chance to use the rooftop pool as the sun sets over Bath.

Can You Just Turn Up at Thermae Bath Spa?

Yes, there are walk-in two-hour spa sessions subject to availability, with a virtual queue allocating the next available slot. I would still pre-book if you have a fixed Bath itinerary, especially at weekends.

Do You Need to Book Thermae Bath Spa in Advance?

You don’t have to pre-book a standard session if walk-in availability remains, but I recommend it. Treatments and packages should be reserved in advance.

How Long Do You Get at Thermae Bath Spa?

The standard Thermae Welcome session lasts two hours. Treatment time is additional, and Thermae also provides an extra 15 minutes at the end for changing and drying your hair.

Does Thermae Bath Spa Provide Towels and Robes?

Yes. A towel and robe are included with a standard session. Footwear is not included, so bring clean flip-flops or sliders; slippers are available to purchase.

Can You Take Photos at Thermae Bath Spa?

No. Thermae has a no-phone policy inside the spa and personal photography is not permitted. My photographs were taken during a media visit before the spa opened to the public.

How Warm Is the Water at Thermae Bath Spa?

Bath’s spring water reaches the surface at around 45°C before being cooled to an optimum bathing temperature of approximately 34°C / 93°F. In other words, absolutely lovely!

Is There a Lazy River at Thermae Bath Spa?

There isn’t a separate theme-park-style lazy river, but the indoor Minerva Bath has a gentle slow-moving current around the pool that feels a little like one, alongside whirlpool and massage-jet areas.

Is Thermae Bath Spa Adults Only?

The New Royal Bath has a minimum age of 16, with proof of age required. Treatments are for guests aged 18 and over. At the separate Cross Bath, guests aged 12–15 can attend when accompanied by an adult or guardian on a 1:1 basis.

Does Thermae Bath Spa Have Parking?

No. Thermae Bath Spa has no dedicated on-site parking. SouthGate is one of the closest city-centre car parks, and the spa is also around a 10-minute walk from Bath Spa station.

Can You Stay at Thermae Bath Spa?

No. Thermae Bath Spa is a day spa rather than a hotel. For nearby accommodation, I’ve personally stayed at and recommend Hotel Indigo Bath to be close to the station and No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath for a charming local stay.

Plan the Rest of Your Bath Trip

Still planning? Here’s more of my Bath guides to help you decide where to stay, what to book and how to make the most of your trip.

Bath itineraries and planning

• The Best Things to Do in Bath, England: Roman Baths, Georgian Streets, Jane Austen & More
• 2 Days in Bath: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary (From a Frequent Visitor)
• One Day in Bath: The Perfect Day Trip Itinerary (With Map & Tips)
• How to Get from London to Bath: Train, Bus, Car or Tour?
• Christmas in Bath: The Perfect Festive Weekend Itinerary

What to see and do in Bath

• Bridgerton Filming Locations in Bath: A Self-Guided Walking Tour + Visiting Tips
• Jane Austen in Bath: Places to Visit, Her History & the Perfect Literary Day
• The Best Bookshops in Bath, England: A Literary Day Out for Book Lovers
• The Roman Baths in Bath, England: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit

Where to stay in Bath

• The Best Hotels in Bath, England: Where to Stay, From Georgian Townhouses to Spa Hotels
• No.15 by GuestHouse Bath Review: Is This Characterful Georgian Hotel Worth It?
• Hotel Indigo Bath Review: A Jane Austen-Inspired Stay Near Bath Spa Station

Tours, day trips and experiences

• The Best Walking Tours in Bath: History, Bridgerton, Ghost & Food Tours
• The Best Bath Day Tours from London: Stonehenge, Windsor, Lacock & More
• The Best Day Trips from Bath: Cotswolds, Stonehenge, Oxford & More
• Thermae Bath Spa Review: Is It Worth It? Everything You Need to Know
• The Best Boat Trips in Bath, England: Sightseeing, Prosecco Cruises & River Avon Views

Where to eat and drink in Bath

• The Best Restaurants in Bath: Where to Eat, From Local Pubs to Georgian Dining Rooms
• The Best Cafés in Bath: Coffee, Brunch, Bakeries & Beautiful Stops I’d Recommend
• The Best Afternoon Tea in Bath: The Pump Room, Jane Austen & More