Roman Baths, Strand Lane

The Roman Baths at Strand Lane is an underground chamber built with brick and stone vaults, hidden beneath London's modern streets. The space still holds water and shows construction traces from different building periods on its walls.

The chamber was first built in 1612 as a water tank for a fountain at Somerset House. Around 1770 it was converted into a public plunge bath that Londoners used for generations.

Charles Dickens mentioned these baths in David Copperfield, contributing to their increasing popularity among nineteenth-century London tourists.

Visiting requires arranging an appointment through Westminster Council in advance of your trip. Access is seasonal and works best when you plan ahead.

The baths have long been linked to a famous Victorian author who mentioned them in one of his novels. This literary connection helped keep them in London's memory across the centuries.

GPS coordinates: 51.51166,-0.11567

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52