Description: The Roman Baths were open for public bathing only during the Bath Festival, a tradition which started in 1961. The Festival Ball that year was a Roman Orgy, much to the distaste of Yehudi Menuhin and held at the baths. It was the first time in living memory people could swim in the baths. Guests at the ball were issued with togas and a Roman feast was offered to diners, including boar, roast swan and dormice! When the last revellers refused to leave the water at 4am, the city authorities pulled the plug out of the baths.