A historic site in North Wales that lay untouched for almost 2,000 years has been restored. Prestatyn Roman Baths are considered one of Denbighshire’s “hidden gems” but their presence in the coastal town has long puzzled historians.
The bath was first discovered during excavations in the 1930s and was covered over again. It was not until 1984, when construction began on a housing complex on nearby Melyd Avenue, that the site was properly excavated and its historical significance revealed.
The Bath House is believed to have been built around 120 AD and extended in 150 AD. It had a cold water bath at one end fed by a wooden aqueduct from a nearby spring.
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Its existence has given rise to the tantalizing idea that there was a ‘lost Roman settlement’ nearby – perhaps a mansion (a Roman hotel), a small military station or a villa built by a wealthy Roman landowner. It is thought to be linked to the Roman garrisons at Chester and Caernarfon, as it lies halfway between them. Because of its coastal location at Prestatyn, it may also have been associated with a nearby port.
Denbighshire Country Services is currently restoring the area and recent work has involved repairing previous restoration attempts. The last time work was done on the stones at the site they were held together with cement, a less than ideal solution.
Restoration specialist Ben Davies has removed the cement and replaced it with lime mortar. This is what would have been used historically – lime mortar allows buildings to flex, which protects them from extreme temperatures.
In addition, the gaps under the floors of the baths were filled in to prevent water from damaging the remains due to frost. The rangers, with the support of volunteers, also made improvements to the paths. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone.
Councillor Alan James, Denbighshire’s lead member for local development and planning, said: “This important site really is one of Prestatyn’s hidden gems and we are grateful to everyone who has been involved in the restoration and preservation of this historic area.
“I would recommend anyone interested in history to visit the Roman Baths to see a little piece of antiquity that sits proudly in Prestatyn.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter delivered twice daily to your inbox
The tiles for the floors and ceiling of the building were transported 40 miles to the site from the 20th Legion’s workshops at Holt, near Wrexham. Some of these tiles, stamped with the legend LEG XX VV and its symbol of a boar, can still be seen on site, along with the original pipes.
Fragments of stone columns and column bases have also been found, perhaps suggesting the presence of other, more imposing stone buildings yet to be discovered nearby. The artefacts discovered here indicate that it was occupied from the 2nd century to the late 3rd or early 4th century AD.
People love this “little gem” tucked away in a residential cul-de-sac between two houses, which is free to visit. On Tripadvisor, one West Midlands man said: “The bathrooms are complemented by some nice palm trees and shrubs, which helps give the site the illusion of being somewhere a little exotic.”
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