The Roman Baths

The Romans built a temple and bathing complex here around AD 70, drawn by the only hot spring in Britain, and the core of it — the Great Bath's lead-lined basin, fed by the same spring — has survived well enough that visitors today are looking at largely the original Roman engineering, not a full reconstruction.

The complex layered up over the centuries: Georgian Bath was built around and above the Roman ruins in the 18th century, giving the site its current split character of ancient stonework at street level and neoclassical architecture rising above it. It's a museum rather than a working bath now — the water isn't for swimming in — but the site is the reason the entire city carries the name it does.

Go early or book a timed slot — this is one of England's most-visited paid attractions outside London, and midday queues reflect it.