The Pump Room, which is part of the Roman Baths complex, was another social heart in Bath in Georgian times – it’s where the upper classes came to ‘take’ the hot spa water. Today it’s a fancy restaurant and café. The room itself is still magnificent, but you certainly pay a premium price to eat here. You can walk through the room for free by entering via the way in next to the Roman Baths gift shop and walking up the side of the room past the fountain where Bath spring water is located. If you do want to sample the food, it can be really busy even at times of the year when Bath doesn’t seem to have many tourists around. We’d recommend booking in advance if you can. Also if you want to sample the food and enjoy the room, but not pay for a full main meal consider taking ‘Afternoon Tea’ which is much more reasonable.
One of the nice things about eating here is the atmosphere. The dinner-jacket-wearing pianist performs grand pieces of classical music or memorable tunes from the musicals while you munch away on your food. It’s not unusual to see people who’ve dressed the part either and are wearing evening wear themselves, or even Georgian dress! (see below). If you haven’t booked, then you may still be able to get in to eat, but at busy times of the year there can be a long wait. The food entrance is the one right next to the main entrance to the Roman Baths.
Talking of the Roman Baths, if you want to see one of the bath pools for free, you can great a great view from balcony of the Pump Room. Just walk into the corridor that links the Pump Room and the Roman Baths shop and the door to the balcony is normally open. Just step out and you have a birds-eye view of the bathing area beneath your feet.
Many people who visit the Pump Room for food are looking for the famous Afternoon Tea of sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and a selection of dainty cakes. Afternoon Tea is served from lunchtime onwards and the options include one with champagne. We very much enjoyed our trip to the Pump Room, but mainly because of the atmosphere and architecture. The Afternoon Tea was nice and the presentation was good, but somehow the food didn’t quite match up to the surroundings. The building is definitely the star here. There is certainly enough to eat though and we left very full. The tradition Pump Room Afternoon Tea costs £42.50 per person (2025 prices)
The Pump Room is open for Morning Bakery and Brunch from 9.30am to 12 noon, then there are Afternoon Tea session through the afternoon. In the busy months the Pump Room opens until 9pm serving dinner.
LOCATION, CONTACT & MAP
The Pump Room entrance is located next to the Roman Baths in the historic Abbey Church Yard right in the centre of Bath. The Hop on, Hop off Bus Tour stops right by the Abbey which is next to the Baths.
Address: The Pump Room, The Roman Baths, Stall Street, Bath, BA1 1LZ.
Tel: +44 (0)1225 444477
MORE ON THE PUMP ROOM
The Pump Room – Official website
The Pump Room – Roman Baths website
The Grand Pump Room – Wikipedia
Hotels in Bath – We recommend Hotels.com
Books on Bath – Amazon