Royal Crescent

Royal Crescent is a semicircular ensemble of 30 interconnected townhouses spanning roughly 500 feet, with a unified limestone facade punctuated by classical columns. The continuous front opens onto a sloping grass strip, beyond which further parkland extends.

John Wood the Younger designed this project between 1767 and 1775 as part of a broader expansion of the city. The development arose during a time when Bath was growing as a popular spa resort and attracting wealthy visitors.

The name dates to the time when King George III and his family visited Bath and gave the place royal significance. The uniform exterior hides different room layouts behind it, as the first buyers arranged their houses according to their own taste.

The ensemble can be viewed well from the street, while the museum at Number 1 offers insight into period living. The sloping lawn in front is suitable for a walk with a view of the colonnade and the adjoining green spaces.

A concealed ditch, called a ha-ha, separates the upper grass strip from the lower park, so that the view extends uninterrupted into the landscape. This construction prevents animals from entering the lawn without creating visible barriers.

Location: Bath and North East Somerset

Location: Bath

Architects: John Wood

Architectural style: Georgian architecture

GPS coordinates: 51.38694,-2.36833

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:02