Getting hot and steamy

FANCY a dip in a roof-top outdoor thermal pool which offers awesome views of Bath? Then head to the Thermae Bath Spa. It is the only place in the city where the general public, who are not guests of The Gainsborough Bath Spa or members of its Spa Village, is able to "take the waters" from the city's renowned natural hot springs.

Thermae is a multi-storey spa complex comprising thermal pools of different sizes, spacious steam rooms infused with various aromatic essences such as frankincense and eucalyptus mint, treatment rooms where therapists offer over 40 spa treatments and packages, a café and an open-air roof-top pool. It's highly popular with both locals and tourists, and the best way to enjoy its facilities is to pay for a two-hour spa session called Thermae Welcome. This allows access to the pools and steam rooms. Depending on the day, prices are between £32 and £35 (S$68.70 and S$75.15) and include the use of a locker, towel, robe and slippers.

But for a truly unique experience, it would have to be a private session in the intimate Cross Bath located just outside the main Thermae complex. Built around the 18th century, it sits on a site where the Celts worshipped their goddess over 3,000 years ago. It was declared a Sacred Site by the World Wide Fund for Nature in 2000. The Cross Bath consists of a single pool where the natural spring water emerges unadulterated to the surface, and it's the only place in England where it happens. A 1.5 hour session costs between £18 and £20 per person, or it can be booked for exclusive use for small parties of up to 12 people at between £125 and £195.