UK’s stunning Thermae Bath Spa opens today

After a three year delay in its opening, the UK’s stunning Thermae Bath Spa opens today!

It is Britain’s original and only natural thermal spa and in the World Heritage City of Bath, visitors can now enjoy the hot springs as the Celts and Romans did 2000 years ago.

Just down the street from the famous Roman Baths and Pump Room, the Thermae Bath Spa has involved the restoration of five historic buildings and the creation of one building of striking contemporary architecture.

Inside visitors will find four natural thermal baths – one in the Cross Bath, another in the Hot Bath and two in the New Royal Bath including the stunning open-air rooftop pool with skyline views of the city.

In addition there are four state of the art steam rooms infused with aromatherapy oils, twenty treatment rooms offering a range of over 50 complementary therapies, activity classes including yoga and pilates as well as the Springs Restaurant, shop and the Source meeting facilities.

The Cross Bath remains a stand alone facility with its own changing facilities and allows people to enjoy bathing in the natural thermal waters in a more intimate environment.

In addition to bathing in the natural thermal waters, the Thermae Bath Spa has developed a range of spa, health and beauty treatments. The treatments, which are offered in the Massage Suite in the New Royal Bath and the interlinked Hot Bath as follows –

Thermal treatments, which take advantage of the natural thermal waters and include Watsu, the Vichy Shower and a Thermal Mineral Bath;

Body Wraps, where a ‘mask’ is applied all over the body before being wrapped in a thermal blanket, allowing the absorption of the natural ingredients;

Massage, including includes aroma massage, Shiatsu, Pantai Luar and even a Couples Massage;

Dry Flotation. This takes place on a warmed cushion of water, whilst the body is enveloped in minerals and oils such as peat from Salzburg, lavender blossom or Chardonnay; and

Body Care and Facials, based on a full range of botanically based treatments.

Not unexpectedly, TravelMole partner British Heritage Tours has put together a number of programmes in which spa sessions can be included and some of them could be of immediate interest this autumn, including: –

A Friday to Monday four nighter based in different levels of accommodation in Bath which includes a City Sightseeing hop on, hop off bus tour, visits to the Roman Baths and the Jane Austen Centre (and a Jane Austen themed walking tour if required) plus a 2 or 4 hour session in the Thermae Bath Spa. Bath is a magical place to be in the run up to Christmas and lashings of time for antique hunting, drinking tea, enjoying real ales or simply watching the world go by, sells well;

A wonderful antiquing orientated programme based in the charming market town of Tetbury, something of a Mecca for antique hunters. It makes an excellent base for a day trip into Bath (and a Thermae Bath Spa experience) and for visits to Cotswolds villages like Stow on the Wold and Moreton in Marsh. You could build a small group around the big Shepton Mallet Antique and Collectors Fairs 22-24 September and 17-19 November or the smaller fairs at Malvern on Sundays 8 October, 5 November and 3 December; and

The Bath Christmas Market (30 November to 10 December) which takes place in the area bordered by Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, with seasonal sparkle from carol singers and strolling players.

The Cotswolds and the City of Bath are wonderful places to be in the October to December period as festive excitement continues to rise.

Also speak with BHT about a long weekend for a small group of 8-12 to which 2-3 night London extensions can be added.

British Heritage Tours’ Paull Tickner can be contacted on [email protected]  or www.bhtours.co.uk

Report by The Mole in the Spa – if only!!