Roman Baths, Strand Lane
Encyclopedia
The Roman Baths, Strand Lane is a cold spring-fed plunge bath beneath 5 Strand Lane, in the City of Westminster
, off the Strand
. The baths have a historical reputation of being Roman
in origin, though Roman London lay 1 miles (1.6 km) to the east. The visible remains, which lie 4 in 6 in (1.37 m) below the modern street level, date from a 17th-century refurbishment.
The bath measures 15 in 6 in (4.72 m) by 6 in 3 in (1.91 m), and 4 in 6 in (1.37 m) deep. Its lining is built from bricks measuring 9 inches (22.9 cm) by 3 inches (7.6 cm) and are 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) thick; these measurements are more typical of the Tudor era than Roman.
The first written reference to the bath occurs in a 1784 book by John Pinkerton
, describing a 'fine antique bath' in the cellar of a house in 'Norfolk Street in the Strand formerly belonging to the Earl of Arundel
whose house
and vast gardens were adjacent [to the site]'. In April 1792, antiquarian, collector and MP
William Weddell
died 'from a sudden chill' when bathing there.
Charles Knight
wrote in London (1842) of the "Old Roman Spring Bath", at Strand Lane – suggesting that it shared a source with the nearby Holy Well, just north of the site of the church of St Clement Danes
. He noted (of the water) "it is clearly natural, and not artificial, and sparkles as clear as crystal". In David Copperfield
(1849–50), Dickens speaks of the old Roman Bath "at the bottom of one of the streets out of the Strand", in which Copperfield had many cold plunges.
The Baths remained open to the public at the end of the 19th century, when the owner thanked his subscribers for their patronage and announced that
The modern Strand follows the course of Akeman Street
, a Roman road
running parallel to the river, towards Chiswick
from Roman London. Later, Strand Lane, itself, formed the boundary between the parishes of St Clement Danes and St Mary-le-Strand
. The street was thought to originally be the site of a stream leading to the Thames. By the 18th century, this had become a sewer and today is a narrow alley - next to King's College
, lying behind the former Aldwych tube station
. The spring feeding the bath still flows, but only at a rate of 2000 gallons (9 m³) per/day.
The River Thames
originally lay at the foot of the street, with a landing point for watermen
. In 1865, the Victoria Embankment
was constructed, with its sewers and District line
railway. The River is now some 50 metres (164 ft) from the foot of Strand Lane and Victorian
buildings lie in between.
The baths are administered and maintained by the City of Westminster, on behalf of the National Trust
. The baths are open free of charge on Wednesday afternoons from 6 April to 19 October by appointment only. Appointments must be made one week in advance.
City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a London borough occupying much of the central area of London, England, including most of the West End. It is located to the west of and adjoining the ancient City of London, directly to the east of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its southern boundary...
, off the Strand
Strand, London
Strand is a street in the City of Westminster, London, England. The street is just over three-quarters of a mile long. It currently starts at Trafalgar Square and runs east to join Fleet Street at Temple Bar, which marks the boundary of the City of London at this point, though its historical length...
. The baths have a historical reputation of being Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
in origin, though Roman London lay 1 miles (1.6 km) to the east. The visible remains, which lie 4 in 6 in (1.37 m) below the modern street level, date from a 17th-century refurbishment.
The bath measures 15 in 6 in (4.72 m) by 6 in 3 in (1.91 m), and 4 in 6 in (1.37 m) deep. Its lining is built from bricks measuring 9 inches (22.9 cm) by 3 inches (7.6 cm) and are 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) thick; these measurements are more typical of the Tudor era than Roman.
The first written reference to the bath occurs in a 1784 book by John Pinkerton
John Pinkerton
John Pinkerton was a Scottish antiquarian, cartographer, author, numismatist, historian, and early advocate of Germanic racial supremacy theory....
, describing a 'fine antique bath' in the cellar of a house in 'Norfolk Street in the Strand formerly belonging to the Earl of Arundel
Earl of Arundel
The title Earl of Arundel is the oldest extant Earldom and perhaps the oldest extant title in the Peerage of England. It is currently held by the Duke of Norfolk, and is used by his heir apparent as a courtesy title. It was created in 1138 for the Norman baron Sir William d'Aubigny...
whose house
Arundel House
Arundel House was a town-house or palace located between the Strand and the Thames, near St Clement Danes.It was originally the town house of the Bishops of Bath and Wells, during the Middle Ages. In 1539 it was given to William Fitzwilliam, Earl of Southampton...
and vast gardens were adjacent [to the site]'. In April 1792, antiquarian, collector and MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
William Weddell
Newby Hall
Newby Hall is an historic mansion house and Grade I listed building situated on the banks of the River Ure at Skelton-on-Ure, near Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire, England.-History:...
died 'from a sudden chill' when bathing there.
Charles Knight
Charles Knight (publisher)
Charles Knight was an English publisher and author.-Early life:The son of a bookseller and printer at Windsor, he was apprenticed to his father...
wrote in London (1842) of the "Old Roman Spring Bath", at Strand Lane – suggesting that it shared a source with the nearby Holy Well, just north of the site of the church of St Clement Danes
St Clement Danes
St Clement Danes is a church in the City of Westminster, London. It is situated outside the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand. The current building was completed in 1682 by Sir Christopher Wren and it now functions as the central church of the Royal Air Force.The church is sometimes claimed to...
. He noted (of the water) "it is clearly natural, and not artificial, and sparkles as clear as crystal". In David Copperfield
David Copperfield (novel)
The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery , commonly referred to as David Copperfield, is the eighth novel by Charles Dickens, first published as a novel in 1850. Like most of his works, it originally appeared in serial...
(1849–50), Dickens speaks of the old Roman Bath "at the bottom of one of the streets out of the Strand", in which Copperfield had many cold plunges.
The Baths remained open to the public at the end of the 19th century, when the owner thanked his subscribers for their patronage and announced that
"the celebrated Cold Plunging Bath (built by the Earl of EssexThis bath lay to the south of the remains, under what is now the Norfolk Building of King's College London (formerly the Norfolk Hotel). Since it was also on Arundel land, the tale of construction by the Earls of Essex – whose home in the Tudor period lay further to the east – is fanciful. The true origin of the baths is lost in time, but it may be that they were built as cisterns for Arundel House over the spring. They were subsequently lost in the 16th century when the estate was broken up, the area was then built over by row houses, and later rediscovered after a fire in 1774.Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of EssexRobert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, KG was an English nobleman and a favourite of Elizabeth I. Politically ambitious, and a committed general, he was placed under house arrest following a poor campaign in Ireland during the Nine Years' War in 1599...
in the reign of Queen ElizabethElizabeth I of EnglandElizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, 1588) is open all the year round. It is known to be the most pure and healthy bath in London ensuring every comfort and convenience to those availing themselves of this luxury. This bath, which is strongly recommended by the Medical Profession, is essentially supplied from the Spring, and discharges at the rate of ten tons per diem. Consequently every bather has the advantage of a continual change of water. The old Roman spring water bath, nearly two thousand years old, can be viewed."
The modern Strand follows the course of Akeman Street
Akeman Street
Akeman Street was a major Roman road in England that linked Watling Street with the Fosse Way. Its junction with Watling Steet was just north of Verulamium and that with the Fosse Way was at Corinium Dobunnorum...
, a Roman road
Roman road
The Roman roads were a vital part of the development of the Roman state, from about 500 BC through the expansion during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. Roman roads enabled the Romans to move armies and trade goods and to communicate. The Roman road system spanned more than 400,000 km...
running parallel to the river, towards Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
from Roman London. Later, Strand Lane, itself, formed the boundary between the parishes of St Clement Danes and St Mary-le-Strand
St Mary-le-Strand
St. Mary le Strand is a Church of England church at the eastern end of the Strand in the City of Westminster, London. It lies within the Deanery of Westminster within the Diocese of London. The church stands on what is now a traffic island to the north of Somerset House, King's College London's...
. The street was thought to originally be the site of a stream leading to the Thames. By the 18th century, this had become a sewer and today is a narrow alley - next to King's College
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
, lying behind the former Aldwych tube station
Aldwych tube station
Aldwych is a closed London Underground station in the City of Westminster, originally opened as Strand in 1907. It was the terminus and only station on the short Piccadilly line branch from Holborn that was a relic of the merger of two railway schemes. The disused station building is close to the...
. The spring feeding the bath still flows, but only at a rate of 2000 gallons (9 m³) per/day.
The River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
originally lay at the foot of the street, with a landing point for watermen
Watermen
Watermen are river workers who transfer passengers across and along city centre rivers and estuaries in Britain and its colonies. Most notable are those on the River Thames and River Medway, but other rivers such as the River Tyne and River Dee, Wales also had their watermen who formed guilds in...
. In 1865, the Victoria Embankment
Victoria Embankment
The Victoria Embankment is part of the Thames Embankment, a road and river walk along the north bank of the River Thames in London. Victoria Embankment extends from the City of Westminster into the City of London.-Construction:...
was constructed, with its sewers and District line
District Line
The District line is a line of the London Underground, coloured green on the Tube map. It is a "sub-surface" line, running through the central area in shallow cut-and-cover tunnels. It is the busiest of the sub-surface lines. Out of the 60 stations served, 25 are underground...
railway. The River is now some 50 metres (164 ft) from the foot of Strand Lane and Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
buildings lie in between.
The baths are administered and maintained by the City of Westminster, on behalf of the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
. The baths are open free of charge on Wednesday afternoons from 6 April to 19 October by appointment only. Appointments must be made one week in advance.