The Archway Project, Roman Baths

The Archway Project, Roman Baths

Client: North East Somerset Council

Dates: 2017 – 2022

Budget: £3.4 million

Project: The Archway Centre: Roman Baths Learning Centre and World Heritage Centre

The Archway Project is a £3.4 million initiative that has significantly expanded the Roman Baths’ educational and heritage offer, creating a new Learning Centre and World Heritage Centre in the heart of Bath. Delivered by Bath & North East Somerset Council, with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project enhances public engagement with the city’s UNESCO-listed heritage by providing state-of-the-art learning spaces and immersive visitor experiences.

The Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre offers interactive learning experiences for schools and community groups amidst actual Roman remains. The World Heritage Centre provides free information on Bath’s UNESCO status, guiding visitors through the city’s historic landscape. Newly uncovered Roman spaces, such as a gym and sauna, are enhanced with immersive projections and soundscapes for an enriched visitor experience. Additionally, community engagement initiatives include apprenticeships, work placements, and activities for vulnerable groups, fostering connections to Bath’s heritage for diverse audiences.

Throughout the Development and Delivery Phases, Alix Slater Consultancy & Training Ltd played a key role in measuring project progress, ensuring that data collection was structured and effective, and reporting on the impact of engagement activities. By supporting the team in demonstrating the project’s success in improving access to heritage, the evaluation has helped shape its long-term sustainability and influence future learning initiatives at the Roman Baths.

The project has transformed access to Bath’s Roman history, making it more interactive and inspiring for future generations. By combining innovative learning spaces with digital interpretation and real archaeological remains, the Archway Project has reinforced Bath’s position as a leading heritage destination while providing a high-quality educational resource for 15,000 school children and community visitors annually.