New developments at the Roman Baths
Roman Baths Development 2006-2010
September 2010
This year sees the culmination of an intensive
5-year programme of investment by Bath & North East Somerset
Council in The Roman Baths at Bath. The attraction, which levers
£92 million p.a. into the local economy, is a multi-faceted site
which includes Britain's only hot springs, the most complete suite
of Roman baths in northern Europe, magnificent architectural and
sculptural remains from the Temple of Sulis Minerva, a museum
collection Designated by Government as being of national importance
and the Pump Room, social heart of the city since the 18th
century.
The Development Plan had two main objectives:
to transform the accessibility of this very difficult site; and to
retain its position in the competitive visitor attractions industry
as one of the UK's leading destinations. The Council wanted to make
it a more accessible, exciting, family-friendly and interactive
experience that highlights the most important elements of the site,
creates 'wow' moments at key points of the visit and portrays the
Romans on a human scale.
Working with Event Communications Ltd and
Scena Productions LLP, the Council’s Heritage Services team have
created an attraction that includes both high-tech and low-tech
interpretation and which has resisted the temptation to
over-interpret the monument by radically de-cluttering the Great
Bath - centrepiece and most famous part of the site - of all
distractions to allow visitors to give full rein to their
imaginations.
The Development Plan has included major
programmes of work in the following areas:
Conservation: the cleaning
and consolidation of Roman masonry and the Victorian balustrades
and statues above it; processes used have included traditional
techniques as well as the more innovative use of laser
technology.
Access: the introduction of
two lifts to transport visitors with mobility difficulties down 20'
(6m) through a listed building and ancient monument from today's
street level to the Roman level. A BSL 'signed' tour has been added
to the on-site audio guide system for the benefit of visitors with
hearing difficulties.
Interpretation: an innovative
new approach that tells the story of the Baths and Temple using
people we know we here in Roman times - men and women, priests and
pilgrims, miltiary and civilian, local and well-travelled - which
includes the presence of some of these characters as costumed
interpreters around the Baths. These are all based upon
inscriptions and sculptures recording people in Aquae Sulis (Roman
Bath) so there is an academic base to this form of interpretation.
New displays have also enabled more of the Designated collection to
be displayed and include the introduction of inter-active
exhibits.
Shop refurbishment: both
on-site shops have been completely refurbished with the main shop
at the exit being enlarged by around 15% to increase the sales
area. This work was accompanied by the commissioning of new
site-related merchandise.
More information can be found on the Roman
Baths website http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/
ENDS