THE Roman Baths are a great place for children to find out about life in Roman times.

The site of the religious spa, found in the centre of the city of Bath, is just over an hour’s drive from Newport and is one of the finest historic sites in Northern Europe.

The Roman Baths is found below the modern street level and has four main features; the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House and finds from Roman Bath.

Its extensive remains and Roman museum make for a fun-packed family day out, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK, attracting one million visitors a year.

Constructed around 70AD as a grand bathing and socialising complex, it is now one of the best preserved Roman remains in the world.

Visitors can take a free-hourly guided tour using award-winning audio-guides, with one especially for children and one for people of all ages- all of which are included in the admission price.

The audio-guide, narrated by Michael Rosen is available in English, French and German and features Roman characters and their stories. A colourful addition to the audio-guides is Bryson at the Baths, a tour by Bill Bryson. His witty and incisive thoughts and observations on Roman life, history, and society can be heard by all English-speaking visitors who pick up a free handset.

Children can also meet the Baths’ colourful costumed characters, who are there every day.

The costumed interpreters, who include a Roman soldier, Roman lady, stonemason and priest, are in action between 10am and 5pm daily and also in the evening during the summer.

The characters are based on real people who lived and worked at Aquae Sulis 2,000 years ago. Their stories have been reconstructed from evidence found on site at the Roman Baths, which you can often see in the museum displays.

There is plenty to explore from treasures to the interactive museum with visual snippets that transport you back to Roman times and the lives of Aquae Sulis people.

During July and August the Baths are open until 10pm, illuminated by torch light.

After touring the site, visitors can enjoy a sip of the spa water in the Pump Room which also offers afternoon tea, with a special children’s afternoon tea menu (on Saturdays)

Entry costs £14 for adults, £12.25 for senior citizens, £9 for children aged six to 16 while a family of two adults with up to four children costs £40. The Baths are open between 9.30am and 4.30am during January and February. For more details visit www.romanbaths.co.uk