The Victorians set about restoring its stunning centrepiece, the Great Bath, as the fashion for spas flourished. The statues of Roman emperors and governors of Britain that now decorate the terrace were added for its grand opening in 1897. Much more of the site and its treasures have been excavated and opened to the public since.

While you might not be able to take to the waters today (the bath officially closed to swimmers in 1976), visitors can enjoy drinks from a bar as they sit by the water and soak in the atmosphere of incredibly preserved Roman remains at special torch-lit evenings. The attraction draws around one million visitors each year.

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