Introduction
Royal Crescent is a communal garden for the Crescent built between 1767 and 1775. The square is private, but can be viewed from all sides.
The garden of the Royal Crescent is a half-ellipse, laid out as a lawn on a sloping site. It is enclosed on the north by wrought iron railings, and on the south by a wall acting as a ha-ha.
The lawn in front of the Royal Crescent is very well-kept. Access to it is restricted, and it is kept clean and tidy.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Access contact details
The square is private, but can be viewed from all sides.
The lawn in front of the Royal Crescent is very well-kept. Access to it is restricted, and it is kept clean and tidy.
- History
18th Century
The site of the Royal Crescent was leased to John Wood on December 19-20th, 1766. Building commenced on May 21st, 1767. The crescent, the ‘summit of Palladian achievement in Bath' (see Ison, references) was completed over the next eight years.
19th Century
When first built, the Crescent commanded an unobstructed view over common land which extended as far as the banks of the River Avon. A scheme for a formal garden, including fountains and shrubberies, was put forward in the 1850s. However, the open grass has survived without major changes.
Period
- 18th Century
- Late 18th Century
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Designations
Conservation Area
- Reference: Bath
Features
- Terrace (featured building)
- Description: A terraced crescent.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Ha-ha
- Description: An unusual feature of the Royal Crescent is the use of a ha-ha to separate out the private lawn from the land beyond. This wall follows an ancient boundary line, allowing the view from the Crescent itself to continue uninterrupted. The date of its construction is unknown.
- Key Information
Type
Garden
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Period
18th Century
Survival
Extant
Hectares
2.8
Open to the public
Yes
- References
References
- Lees-Milne, James {Images of Bath} (Richmond-upon-Thames: Saint Helena, 1982) Images of Bath
- Ison, Walter {The Georgian buildings of Bath from 1700 to 1830} (Bath: Kingsmead, 1980) The Georgian buildings of Bath from 1700 to 1830
Contributors
Avon Gardens Trust
E.T.Thacker