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A friend of mine did some digging into the history of birley spa baths. Indeed it is an old roman bath. I'll see if I can find some more information for you.

We used to swim in it as kids & fish it as I got older, there used to be some monster carp in it.
It became a bit of a dump in the 60's but I believe it's been cleaned up a bit now.

My wife works for the Council - Parks, woodlands & countryside and she says there is a Ranger event there on the Feb 27th??? about local history & stuff.

Regarding age, I'm prety sure it was built in the Victorian times to resemble a roman bath.

The water used to come from a round well underneath the house above the Spa. It had bars on the entrance to the well so we couldnt get in and play (and probably drown ourselves) .

The old house used to be a Youth Club in the 60,s. Run by Mr & Mrs Pecket and Mrs Flinders.

Happy Times

Found some stuff that may be of interest 2 u on the BBC site

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/culture/venues/a_f/birley_spa.shtml

which has a photo and further details...

"Restored in 2001/2, the building offers a community bath hall and a genuine Victorian bathouse.

The building dates back to 1842, when it was built for Earl Manvers, Lord of the Manor of Beighton.

It was first built as a hotel with spa baths beneath and has also been used for private dwellings.

It became a Grade II listed building in the 1960s.

The community hall seats up to 60 people and can be booked for private functions.

Guided tours of the bathouse are available to the public, and to schools and other interest groups."

Yes, I too seem to remember us being told that it was a genuine old Roman Bath. I lived on Delves Road (the other end) up until 1966.

My memories of the time are of playing in the open countryside which is now lost to the increasing numbers of housing estates and, of course, Crystal Peaks.

Hardly recognisable now.

Was born on Carr forge road. Opposite lived a lad bit younger than me,his mum and dad used to take me to church most Sundays,(if they could find me).point is a few years later they lived in the house just above the baths. There names mr and mrs Radcliffe and there son Tony.still living there as far as I know.not seen Tony since 80s.