London has a hidden Roman bath that isn’t actually Roman at all

This curious tourist attraction isn’t what it seems (Picture: National Trust) Have you ever taken a stroll down Strand Lane in London? Tucked behind Somerset House, away from the hustle and bustle, the street is pretty unassuming at first glance. But if you make your way along, you’ll find a rather curious attraction at No. 5 Strand Lane. An old wooden sign hangs on the brick wall, with faded and chipping black paint, proclaiming that a National Trust Roman Bath is hidden underneath the building; however, this isn’t quite the case. While the Strand Lane Baths have been called Roman since the 1830s, they aren’t Roman at all, and they weren’t originally a bath. The National Trust sign claims it’s a Roman Bath, but it’s not (Picture: pixyledpublicationshttps://insearchofholywellsandhealingsprings.wordpress.com/2018/05/19/the-old-baths-of-london-the-roman-bath-of-the-strand/) Instead, they are the remains of a cistern built in 1612 to feed an ornate fountain in the gardens of the old Somerset House. At the time, the house was a palace and used as a residence for royal consorts. The house famously entered a long period of decay from 1688 onwards, and as with the palace, the cistern was left to rot. It wasn’t until the 1770s that it was used again, when a man named James Smith moved into 33 Surrey Street, a property which backed onto the cistern. He decided to give it a new lease of life, and in 1776 he started advertising it as a cold plunge bath for ladies and gentlemen ‘supplied with water from a spring’. The Strand Lane baths were originally a cistern built in 1612 (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. James later expanded, adding a second bath, known as the ‘Essex bath’, lined with tiles and marble. Latest London news The baths continued to run after James’s death in 1782, but by this time they’d garnered a bit of a reputation, after several strange incidents occurred there – including an MP’s death. Something needed to be done to restore the appeal for visitors, so it’s thought the baths were essentially given a ‘gimmicky’ rebrand, and in 1838, under the proprietorship of a Mr Charles Scott, it became known as the Old Roman Spring Baths. Within a decade, a story spun about the bath’s Roman origins had become fully ingrained in the public consciousness – so much so that it was even referenced in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. For decades after, people accepted that it was a Roman bath, and it wasn’t until the National Trust took the space on in the 1940s that its proper history was revealed. The LCC Architect’s Office conducted a historical investigation into the baths which concluded in 1951 that they were ‘almost certainly not Roman, but worth preservation as a historical curiosity all the same’. Today, the baths are still owned by the National Trust, but managed by Westminster City Council. They’re not open to the public at all times, but you can arrange a visit by contacting the council if you’re intrigued to see the space. Our Top Shopping Picks Kurt Geiger's new Notting Hill collection is a love letter to London's chaotic weather I’ve found the Hoover gadget that could make cleaning your floors so much easier I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 You’ll need to give at least one week’s notice for a visit, and you can only go at certain times between Monday and Friday. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Man, 40, shot dead in front of 50 people, including children, at memorial service Arrow MORE: Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick confronts shoplifter and it backfires Arrow MORE: Inside the £120,000,000 South Kensington Tube station upgrade as work begins this year The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.