Year 8 Step Back in Time with Trip to the Roman Baths

In their lessons, the girls have studied how Romans visited the baths, moving through warm, hot, and cold rooms, and using the baths as a place to relax and meet others. The trip gave them the chance to walk in the footsteps of those ancient bathers.

Armed with audio guides, pupils explored the beautifully preserved ruins and discovered artefacts that revealed the beauty routines of Roman times. One of the most memorable moments was meeting a Roman "visitor from Gaul" who described his day at the baths. There were lots of laughs as the girls tried to explain modern inventions like mobile phones to this ancient character.

The visit also included a special behind-the-scenes look at how the Romans heated the baths. Students learned about the clever system of furnaces and brick stacks used to create underfloor heating, a true marvel of Roman engineering.

Later, the students took part in a workshop where they examined real Roman gravestones found in the local area. Using their Latin skills, they translated the ancient inscriptions and uncovered stories of different people who visited the baths , from busy merchants to devoted priests of the goddess Sulis.

Students even had the chance to handle real artefacts over 2,000 years old, helping them imagine what daily life at a Roman spa would have been like.

It was a fascinating and fun day, bringing history and Latin to life in a way the students won’t soon forget.