No. 1 Royal Crescent

No. 1 Royal Crescent is a historic house museum in Bath, situated at the start of the famous Royal Crescent. The museum is owned by the Bath Preservation Trust and showcases not only the glamorous side of life for Bath’s wealthy residents, but also the reality of their daily routines.

In this article, we’ll explore its history and architecture, and provide details of ticket prices and opening hours.

History and Architecture

The history of No. 1 Royal Crescent began in 1767, when John Wood the Younger set about creating the Royal Crescent – a large semi-circular complex comprising 30 houses. No. 1 was the first building in the complex. The house was intended for the wealthy residents of Bath and was originally a private residence. One of its first occupants was Thomas Brock, and in the late 1770s the building was let to Henry Sandford, who lived there with his family until his death in 1796.

The architecture of No. 1 Royal Crescent is characteristic of the city of Bath. The façade is constructed from local stone, is distinguished by its strict symmetry and features five windows across its width, whilst the central entrance is framed by a Doric portal. The Royal Crescent itself was designed in the Palladian tradition and conceived so that the houses would offer views of the surrounding landscape. In front of the buildings lay an open area with a lawn and a so-called ‘hidden moat’, which served as a boundary whilst not obstructing the view.

In the 20th century, No. 1 and its service wing, No. 1A, were separated. In 1968, the house passed to Bernard Cayzer, who supported its restoration and conversion into a museum. In 2006, No. 1A was acquired by the Brownsword Charitable Foundation, and as part of the Whole Story Project, the buildings were reunited. During a major refurbishment carried out in 2012–2013, the interiors, kitchen and service areas were restored, a gallery was created and visitor access was improved. Following all the renovations, the museum reopened in June 2013. Today, the building’s interiors have been restored to reflect the period between 1776 and 1796, when Henry Sandford lived there.

Museum

The rooms contain a collection of 18th-century furniture, paintings and household items, which help to convey a picture of the everyday life of Bath’s wealthy residents. The exhibition showcases both sides of domestic life: the owners’ state rooms and the areas where the servants worked. The main rooms include:

• The Dining Room;
• The Parlour;
• The Withdrawing Room;
• The Lady’s Bedroom;
• The Gentleman’s Bedroom;
• The Servants’ Hall;
• The Housekeeper’s Room;
• The Kitchen.

A separate space is occupied by The Gallery at No. 1 Royal Crescent, created in 2013 following the merger of the house with the former servants’ wing. This venue hosts temporary exhibitions relating to the history of the house, art and culture. The visit is enhanced by multimedia elements: films and sound effects help visitors to imagine what life was like in the house during that era. Guests are welcome to take photographs within the 18th-century interiors.

After your visit, you can pop into the museum shop.

Filming of the TV series Bridgerton

No. 1 Royal Crescent is well known to fans of the Bridgerton series: it was this very facade that served as the Featherington family home. Filming for the first season took place in Bath in August and November 2019, and the house was also used by the film crew for subsequent series.

The camera mainly focused on the exterior of the building – the entrance, the facade and the Royal Crescent itself. The area around the house was also used for scenes featuring carriages and extras. The series’ creators altered the building’s appearance slightly, adding stone lions, pediments and rosettes to emphasise the Featheringtons’ wealth and extravagance.

It is worth noting that the house itself is presented in the series as a London residence, although it is actually located in Bath.

The Jane Austen Festival

Every September, the city of Bath comes alive with the famous Jane Austen Festival, drawing thousands of Regency-era enthusiasts from all over the world. No. 1 Royal Crescent serves as a key backdrop for this spectacular event. The festival's Grand Regency Costumed Promenade – a breathtaking parade of people dressed in historical attire – traditionally makes its way through the city and gathers right outside the house.

Visiting the museum during the festival offers the ultimate time-travel experience. Walking through the beautifully restored 18th-century rooms alongside guests dressed in period gowns and top hats makes you feel as though you have stepped directly into the pages of Pride and Prejudice.

Wedding

No. 1 Royal Crescent is available to hire for weddings. The ceremony takes place here in a historic setting, surrounded by 18th-century art and furniture. Several rooms inside the house are available for your special day, as well as an outdoor courtyard with a sweeping view of the Royal Crescent.

The venue is designed for small celebrations – it can accommodate up to 40 people at any one time. The cost of hiring the venue for the ceremony includes furniture, and on-site parking is available for an additional fee.

The museum also organises events for hen parties: these can include creative workshops, a private tour of the house or a themed programme with costume changes. For fans of Bridgerton, there are special tours dedicated to the filming of the series.

Tickets

Admission to No. 1 Royal Crescent costs £16.00 for adults and £14.50 for concessions. Admission is free for visitors under 18 when accompanied by an adult: one adult may be accompanied by up to four children.

Tickets can be purchased directly at the museum, but the management recommends booking your visit online, particularly if you have a specific date and time in mind.

You can purchase a separate ticket for the temporary exhibition for £7.00 or pay an additional £2.50 on top of the standard ticket price. Admission is free for members of the Bath Preservation Trust.

Great news for visitors: A standard ticket to No. 1 Royal Crescent automatically doubles as an Annual Pass. This means that, with the same ticket, you can return to the museum for free as many times as you like for the next 12 months from the date of purchase!

Opening hours

In 2026, No. 1 Royal Crescent is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 5.30 pm. Last admission is at 4.30 pm.

The museum is usually closed on Mondays, but makes exceptions during school holidays and public holidays. There are also a few special closing days: the museum will be closed from 16 to 28 November and on 25 – 26 December 2026.

It is worth checking the up-to-date opening times on the official website before your visit, particularly if you are planning to visit during the festive season. For those who prefer a more peaceful atmosphere, the museum offers quiet visits outside normal opening hours – this option must be arranged in advance with the administration.

Reviews

Visitors in their reviews on TripAdvisor highlight the atmosphere of the historic house, the beautifully restored interiors and the opportunity to see not only the state rooms but also the servants’ quarters. The tour format, featuring films and sound effects, is of particular interest: the museum strives not merely to display the furniture and architecture, but to create a sense of being present in the house.

Visitors also note that the building is historic: some of the floors are uneven, and the rear staircase is very steep and narrow. Guests with special needs are therefore advised to contact the museum in advance to check the accessibility of the route, as this depends on the specific rooms.

Peter:

I really liked the fact that here you can see not only the beautiful state rooms, but also the kitchen and the servants’ quarters. This gives you a much better understanding of how a large 18th-century house was actually organised. The interiors have been well restored, and the location right on the Royal Crescent makes a visit even more interesting. It’s worth setting aside at least an hour for the tour so you don’t rush through the rooms, but can take in all the details – and fully soak up the atmosphere.

Contact and location

Phone: 01225 428 126

Email: [email protected]

Address: No 1 Royal Crescent Bath, BA1 2LR

How to get there

No. 1 Royal Crescent is a 15–20-minute walk from Bath Spa railway station and just a 10-minute walk from the city centre. If you are travelling by car, the nearest car park is located on Charlotte Street.

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