Why We Love Bath’s Georgian Architecture
Nestled into the lush Somerset countryside sits the historical city of Bath, a place renowned nationwide for its honey-coloured Georgian architecture that lines each winding street. Bath is a city preserved in time, giving you a glimpse into the history that shapes its identity and tells a story with each historical site and humble home. Here’s why Bath’s stunning Georgian architecture is a must-see.
The Character of Georgian Architecture
The Georgian era, which spanned from 1714 to 1830, marked a period of great development for the city of Bath, especially in terms of its architecture. Bath’s aesthetically pleasing uniformity, both in colour and style, is largely owed to this period, as the majority of its architectural landscape still remains from this era. The city’s core was developed during this time, with prominent use of the local Bath stone – a golden-coloured limestone whose warm, honeyed hue still blends the streets of the city together today.
Georgian architecture is characterised by its symmetry, proportion, and classical principles, with elegant facades and decorative features inspired by Roman and Greek architecture. The historical landmarks and grand buildings of Bath melt effortlessly with these elements to create a harmonious grandeur that gives the city its timeless beauty, drawing in visitors and tourists from around the globe to marvel at even its most ordinary of buildings.
A Historical City
Although it’s the Georgian architecture that makes up the majority of Bath’s beautiful landscape, the city’s beginnings as a Roman spa town is what formed the basis of the area. The Roman baths and temples, constructed by Roman settlers between 60 and 70 AD, utilised the abundance of natural hot springs, transforming Bath into a popular destination for the society’s elite to enjoy bathing in the waters each day.
This influx of visitors, which carried on through into the Georgian era, facilitated the necessary construction of upscale residences and entertainment venues, bringing a flurry of architectural growth that saw Bath thriving in all areas.
John Wood the Elder and his son John Wood the Younger were pivotal characters in shaping the city during this time, with their designs laying the groundwork of grandeur and elegance for what would become the iconic Bathonian architectural landscape. They created the iconic Royal Crescent, a huge row of 30 sweeping houses set out in a sweeping crescent that was completed during 1774, and still stands today as an exemplar of Georgian residential design. No. 1 Royal Crescent is actually also open as a museum for locals and tourists to enjoy, showcasing its restored townhouse interior that immerses visitors into an authentic Georgian experience through film and sound, giving a taste of what life was really like for the townspeople of the 18th century.
Significant Buildings in Bath
John Wood the Younger also formed the Circus, a ring of townhouses that form a circle with three entrances, reflecting the classical influence of ancient Rome with columns and pediments lending to its stately appearance.
Other prominent historical sites in Bath include the Assembly Rooms, also designed by John Wood the Elder. Completed in 1771, the fashionable Georgian meeting place still stands as a cornerstone of Bath’s heritage; the elegant spaces were once central to Bath’s social elite, holding balls, concerts, and other events for high society to meet and mingle in. The Rooms’ neoclassical design features chandeliers and ornate plasterwork, reflecting the city’s sophisticated social scene that was so prominent during the Georgian era.
There are also the Pump Rooms, a famed historical site that would have been another thriving hub for Georgians to meet and mingle; having once been graced by literary legends Charles Dickens and Jane Austen, Austen even references the Rooms in her novels. Today, visitors can enjoy high tea in the Pump Rooms restaurant while overlooking the picturesque beauty of the Roman Baths below.
The peak of the Georgian period also saw the construction of Robert Adams’ Pulteney Bridge, overlooking the Avon River with charming shops lining each side. The site was designed in a symmetrical Palladian style and will be instantly recognisable for any Les Miserables fans as the stage for Javert’s suicide scene.
The preservation of these grand buildings is what makes the city of Bath such a modern-day marvel. The city’s architectural heritage remaining intact has been a top priority for the city – the Bath Preservation Trust, established in 1934, plays a pivotal role in protecting and promoting the city’s historic environment. Careful conservation efforts have allowed for the gorgeous Georgian architecture to still proudly stand, allowing future generations to enjoy the city as Georgian society did all those years ago.
The Impact on Modern Bath
Today, the impact of Bath’s Georgian architecture continues to influence and expand its status as a central hub for art, literature, tourism, and trade, with thousands flocking to its honey-coloured streets each year to see the grand historical landmarks with their own eyes. Several popular productions have even been filmed in the stunning streets of the city, including the adored Netflix drama Bridgerton, which positioned Bath’s classic Georgian architecture as the perfect backdrop for its cast of Regency-elite superstars.
Bath takes immense pride in its picturesque landscape, with several attractions dotted around the city that celebrate the beauty of its historical architecture. The Jane Austen walk around the city is a great way to soak up the greatest sights Bath has to offer through the lens of one of the city’s most prominent literary icons, with audio excerpts from her works that describe Bath as it would have been in Georgian times.
The city continues to delight and amaze residents and visitors alike and even earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987 in recognition of its history and heritage.
Dreaming of making one of Bath’s grand Georgian houses your own home? At Zest, we can make those dreams a reality. We proudly offer a stunning selection of properties that showcase the beauty of original Georgian architecture, with a wide variety to choose from so you get the home that perfectly suits your unique property requirements. Get in touch today to take the first step on your property journey in the historical city of Bath.
