During the late 1700s, the Royal Crescent was the most desirable address in Bath. The city was the place to be seen if you were amongst the social elite between September and the winter, and the Royal Crescent housed the cream of society during their stay.
My Trip to Bath
My trip to Bath was brilliant. We visited the Roman Baths and the Jane Austen Centre, enjoyed a delicious brunch at The Pump Room, and wandered around the city, gazing at the neoclassical architecture.
I recommend visiting No.1 Royal Crescent. The house is now a museum and refurbished to look as it would have during the height of the crescent’s popularity. It was wonderful to see the rooms of the wealthy residents and experience a bit of life “below stairs”, too.
Before I reveal five facts about the city’s most desirable address, I apologise for missing my post last week. While the Georgians visited Bath to “take the waters” and cure their ailments, I picked up a lovely virus there.
It could have been a head cold, the flu or COVID. I don’t know, except it hit me hard, and I was out of action for a week. Just when I thought I was over the worst, my recurring back problem flared up again, and sitting at my desk was agonizing just for the day job. Other than that, I had to rest and didn’t get any writing work done for another week.
Anyway, it’s much improved after a restful weekend and I’m looking forward to getting back to my normal routine.
Five Facts about the Royal Crescent
- Constructed between 1767 and 1774, Bath architects, John Wood the Elder and his son, John Wood the Younger designed Royal Crescent. The Woods designed the facade, but the interiors were built to the specifications of the individual owners, which is why the rear of the properties all look different.
2. Royal Crescent was the first crescent-shaped townhouse terrace constructed anywhere in Europe.
3. The houses of the Royal Crescent were built for rental (the original buy-to-let). None of the owners of the houses lived in them. They were instead let to people of rank for the duration of their stay in Bath or long-term residency.
4. The Royal Crescent was the most desirable address in Bath. Mrs Elizabeth Montagu (social reformer and patron of the arts) was disappointed when she failed to get a house on Royal Crescent.
“To my mortification, there was not a house to be got there when I came, so I was obliged to content myself with one in the Circus.”
Mrs Elizabeth Montagu
How dreadful! After seeing the beautiful houses at the Circus, I would hardly say she was “slumming it”. Anyway, Mrs Montagu eventually secured number 16 where she held her popular salons.
5. Other famous residents include:
- Poet Christopher Anstey – author of the satirical poem The New Bath Guide.
- Garden designer, Charles Hamilton.
- The second son of George III, Frederick, Duke of York, and his duchess, Frederica, stayed at number 16 during their regular visits to Bath in the 1790s.
- Henry Sandford moved to number 1 in 1776 following a thirty-five-year political career. Mr. Sandford liked to record his neighbour’s antics, particularly the goings on at the wild parties held by Alicia MacCartney at number 30.
Just wandering around the streets of Bath was so inspirational. I think I will set a future story in the city. Have you been to Bath, and what was your favourite place to visit?
All images copyright Bianca White 2024.
