Hot Springs in the United Kingdom

Are there hot springs in the United Kingdom?

Yes, in Bath. It has Britain's only natural hot springs you can bathe in, at Thermae Bath Spa, next to the Roman Baths museum, and Buxton in the Peak District uses warm thermal water in its spa.

Bath's water rises at about 45°C and has been used since Roman times; the Roman Baths themselves are a museum where you can see, but not enter, the steaming Great Bath.

Quick facts about hot springs in the United Kingdom

Bath's springs are Britain's only hot springs you can bathe in, and they have drawn visitors since Roman times.

Only hot springs: Bath, Somerset
Roman Baths: Museum, no bathing
Bathe in: Thermae Bath Spa
In this guide: 3 hot springs
Swimwear: Required
Best season: All year
Thermal water: About 45°C at the source

Best hot springs in the United Kingdom

The UK's hot springs.

Spa
Thermae Bath Spa
Bath, England
Swim in natural thermal water in a rooftop pool overlooking the city.
View only
The Roman Baths
Bath, England
Roman bathing complex built around the hot spring; a museum, not for bathing.
Spa hotel
Ensana Buxton Crescent Health Spa
Buxton, England
A spa in a restored Georgian crescent, using Buxton's thermal mineral water.

Hot springs in the United Kingdom map

The map shows all 3 hot springs we cover in the United Kingdom. Zoom in on the larger map for more detail.

Natural Spa Public baths

Famous hot springs in the United Kingdom

All 3 hot springs we list in the UK.

Spa hotel

Ensana Buxton Crescent Health Spa, United Kingdom

Restored Georgian crescent in the Peak District, with a spa using Buxton's natural thermal mineral water.
View only

The Roman Baths, United Kingdom

Roman bathing complex around Britain's hottest spring; a museum, not for bathing.
Spa

Thermae Bath Spa, United Kingdom

Britain's only natural thermal spa you can bathe in, with a rooftop pool over Bath.

When to go and how to reach hot springs in the United Kingdom

Timing your trip

All year. Weekends and school holidays are busiest at Thermae Bath Spa, so go on a weekday or book ahead.

What you will pay

Thermae Bath Spa sells timed sessions; the Roman Baths sell museum tickets. Buxton's spa sells day packages.

Reaching the springs

Bath is about 1.5 hours from London by train, and both the spa and the Roman Baths are in the city centre. Buxton is about an hour from Manchester by train.

Hot spring safety and etiquette in the United Kingdom

Thermae Bath Spa has simple rules.

Wear a swimsuitSwimwear is required.
Book ahead at weekendsSessions sell out.
Don't touch the Roman Baths waterIt's untreated and part of a museum.

Your questions about UK hot springs

Are there natural hot springs in the UK?

Only in Bath, where you can bathe at Thermae Bath Spa. Buxton has warm thermal water used in its spa.

Can you swim in the Roman Baths?

No. It's a museum; bathe instead at Thermae Bath Spa nearby.

How hot is the water in Bath?

It rises at about 45°C and is cooled for the pools.

Pictures of hot springs in the United Kingdom

Photos of Thermae Bath Spa, The Roman Baths and Ensana Buxton Crescent Health Spa, all hot springs in this guide. We only use photos whose license allows reuse and credit the photographer under each one. The full credits are on our photo credits page.