The first foundation stone for the Royal Crescent in Bath was laid on 19th May 1767. It would take a further eight years for the construction to be completed according to the design of John Wood the Younger.
One of Britain's greatest architectural landmarks, this semi-ellipse of thirty Grade I listed houses arranged around a great lawn remains one of the most impressive representations of architectural innovation – and was one of the reasons why Bath was awarded its UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987.
"The Royal Crescent is one of the supreme expressions of the idea—widely explored in the development of British cities during the 18th century—that numerous houses can be integrated to monumental effect," explains Country Life's Architectural Editor, John Goodall.
"Its curving frontage, comprising thirty houses and with the ends set 540 feet apart, is of palatial proportions and punctuated by 114 columns. The design of the elevation is of a Roman theatre turned inside out.
"No less significant is the outward-looking character of the design, formerly overlooking a rural prospect; this was in effect a terrace of country houses.
"It’s important to acknowledge that the Royal Crescent was also heir to the architectural ideas of Wood the Elder, whose ideas — absurd and fantastical as they may seem today — about the Druidical past did so much to shape the splendours of modern Bath."
The design concept reflects an idealised view of architecture which was believed to have been lost. The Royal Crescent is therefore in part an attempt to recapture the simplicity and purity of architecture of both the Romans and the Druids - with Stonehenge at the time often believed to have been a Roman construction, thanks to a misinterpretation by the 17th century writer Inigo Jones.
Celebrating 250 years of the Royal Crescent
To celebrate the Royal Crescent's 250th anniversary, over 70 events will be taking place in Bath throughout 2017.
Leading the celebrations is beautiful 5* Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, who boast a collection of specially curated RC250 packages and experiences including the RC250 tasting menu designed by head chef David Campbell which charts 250 years of local food in a six-course menu paired with Tattinger champagne, soothing spa treatments, thrilling hot air balloon rides over the city and even a specialist run of of RC250 bath gin.
Don’t miss the special Foundation Stone Day Grand Parade on Sunday 21st May 2017, and the “Lives of the Georgians” public event on the lawns in front of the Royal Crescent on Saturday 29th July 2017.
For a full list of events visit: visitbath.co.uk
The Royal Crescent on film
The Bath Film Office promotes and assists film-making in Bath and the north-east. Here are five productions that used the Royal Crescent as a location
1967 Vanity Fair
https://youtu.be/rLNZ7Lzj5aQ?t=9s
Susan Hampshire received an Emmy Award in 1973 for her portrayal of Becky Sharp in this BBC adaptation of William Thackeray’s novel.
1975 Barry Lyndon
Produced, written and directed by Stanley Kubrick, this film is based on the 1844 novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon by William Thackeray.
2006 Persuasion
https://youtu.be/c3L5agZNIJ4
The Jane Austen classic adapted for ITV.
2007 The Duchess
https://youtu.be/yObamgyJp30
Set in the late eighteenth century, The Duchess is based on the life of Georgiana Cavendish (played by Keira Knightley), Duchess of Devonshire.
2009 The Queen
https://youtu.be/zTauMy9mTzQ
Emilia Fox, Samantha Bond, Katie McGrath, Lisa Dillon play the Queen at pivotal times in her life in this Channel 4 production.
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'A glimpse of the sublime': Inside the drawing room of the 'grandest Palladian house in Ireland'The redecoration of the drawing room at Russborough House in Co Wicklow, Ireland, offers a fascinating insight into the aesthetic preoccupations of Grand Tourism in the mid 18th century. John Goodall explains; photography by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
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The ideal of the Scottish castle: Aldourie's joyful fantasy of turrets, invention and recreationThe process of stitching together the architectural fabric of the Aldourie estate in Inverness-shire has created an outstanding group of new and restored buildings. John Goodall explains more; photography by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
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Brutalism and the Bauhaus in BritainAdrien Brody won the Best Actor award for his turn in ‘The Brutalist’, playing the role of Lazslo Toth, one of the key movers in the architectural movement. Will Hosie takes a look at the legacy of Brutalism in Britain, looking at the best buildings both of Brutalism and the Bauhaus Movement which preceded it.
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Nature and nurture in the gardens of Bramham ParkTim Richardson looks at the innovative and superbly maintained 18th-century landscape garden of Bramham Park in West Yorkshire, home of Nick and Rachel Lane Fox. Photographs by Paul Highnam.
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The fire that destroyed Bramham Park — and the astonishing revival that it sparkedIn the second of three articles on Bramham Park, West Yorkshire — the home of Nick and Rachel Lane Fox — John Goodall tells the story of the destruction of this house by fire in 1828 and its astonishing revival that continues into the 21st century.
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Bramham Park: A Palladian premonitionBramham Park is one of the most original and idiosyncratic houses of early 18th-century Yorkshire. Richard Hewlings examines its history and origins, and offers a fresh analysis of its architecture. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
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Seven of the UKs best Art Deco cinemas that help remind us of what we have (wrongly) long stopped expecting from public buildingsFrom the birthplace of modern cinema, to the home of the largest Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in Europe, the UK’s remaining Art Deco cinemas are flourishing. Here are seven of the best.
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Brockfield Hall, the great Yorkshire house that's gone from Regency mansion to modern family homeBrockfield Hall in North Yorkshire is the family home of Charlie Wood and Hatta Byng, editor of House & Garden, who have transformed it since they came here in 2020, winning multiple awards in the process. John Martin Robinson reports on the restoration project that revived this compact Regency house as a modern family home. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
