No 1, Royal Crescent
The Royal Crescent is a row of thirty terraced houses laid out in a majestic crescent in Bath. Designed by the architect John Wood, the Younger, and built between 1767 and 1774, it is one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture to be found in the UK. Although a few changes have been made to some of the interiors over the years, the stone facade remains much the same as when it was first built.
Home to many notable residents over the years, Number One is now a museum, beautifully restored to appear just as it might have been from 1776-1796. Film and/or sound presentations bring each room to life, filling them with the gossip, business and family matters of the family.
Apparently, the exterior of the house was used in filming ‘Bridgerton’, something I have to confess that I have never watched! More exciting as far as I am concerned is that in 2025 No.1 will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth with an exhibition called ‘The Most Tiresome Place in the World: Jane Austen & Bath’- something I will not be missing!
Visitors are lead round the house by following footprints, of the gentry on the way to the top of the house and those of the servants as you come back down, showing both sides of life in a house of this size and style at this period.
Georgian Bath was built largely as a result of the transatlantic slave trade and Number 1 has connections with this period in history, something which is acknowledged around the house and visitors are warned about this on arrival. There is certainly plenty to wonder about as you wander round. The museum offers a fascinating look at life in Georgian England- and Georgian Bath in particular.
