Georgian Christmas

[L to R. Patrizia Ribul (Director of Museums), Mayor Norris and Isabel Wall (Curator).

Bath’s most famous townhouse is due to reopen tomorrow (Saturday, November 18th) after being dressed up for Christmas so you can experience what the festivities would have looked like 200 years ago.

Visitors to No.1 Royal Crescent are able to do things like listen to traditonal festive tales when walking along the 200-plus-year-old flagstones and admire the teetering sugar sculptures in the dining room as part of the Bath Preservation Trust-manged site’s ’12 Tales of a Georgian Christmas’ tour!

The West of England’s directly elected Mayor Dan Norris got a sneak peek of 12 Tales of a Georgian Christmas which runs from this Saturday 18 November to Sunday 31 December.

Staff at the famous house are also running a special festive mouse trail for young ones, plus there are opportunities for kids to make their own ‘masquerade masks’. There are also plans for the museum to be open late in December.

The site will also again be welcoming Santa – much to the delight of kids and grown-ups alike in his grotto.

Dan Norris said: “The No.1 Royal Crescent team have have pulled out all the stops to bring some Yuletide cheer to Bathonians and all visitors.

“Locals are going to really enjoy stepping into Christmas from a bygone era – to explore Christmases past and learn more about the city’s own history at the same time.”

The Mayor, who is running the West of England Love Local tourism campaign, added that he thought Bath was one of the “best places” in the country to get into the festive spirit as he urged residents to support the city’s traders, shops and local attractions this festive season.

He added: “I love Bath and the surrounding areas – there’s so much to do and explore, particularly when it comes to the festive season. Think the atmospheric light trails and festive feasts galore at the Christmas Market, ice skating in Victoria Park and carols by candlelight in the Abbey.

“Christmas is a time for togetherness, so I’d encourage all locals to gather your loved ones, banish the dark winter nights and enjoy some festive cheer at some of the top, top attractions we have locally in this special city, and our amazing West of England region.”

Patrizia Ribul, Director of Museums at No1 Royal Crescent, added: “A visit to No.1 Royal Crescent is the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit in Bath. No-one over-indulged like wealthy Georgians did, and Christmas-time particularly highlights this – one only has to look at our dining room table with its array of various festive confectionary to understand how extravagantly Georgians would have celebrated.

Visitors to the museum today can enjoy a special immersive Christmas story-telling playing in each room of the festively-decorated house, along with a children’s mouse hunt and creative activities. 

“Meeting Father Christmas is a Bath Christmas highlight in our festively-dressed museum. My favourite element of the Christmas décor is the unexpected Christmassy aromas – particularly in the Kitchen and the Servants’ Hall.”

The museum gift shop team will also this year be selling their all-things Christmas merch at Bath Christmas Market on Milsom Street.