The Assembly Rooms, originally known as the Upper Rooms, were designed by John Wood the younger and opened in 1771. They were the third set of such rooms to be built in Bath.
The Assembly Rooms were a place where the company could dance, play cards and drink tea.
When work began on the rooms in 1769, Queen Square and the Circus designed by John Wood the elder had been completed and work had begun on the terraces and streets that would culminate with John Wood the younger's magnificent Royal Cresent.
The impressive Bath stone Assembly Rooms are set across a wide pavement.They dominate their surroundings with two classical facades either side of the central pedimented entrance.
The rather austere exterior gives no idea of the sumptuous decoration within.
The ballroom is a 100 feet long and the largest 18th century room in Bath. It could hold 800 - 1,200 people on ball nights.
This classical room, rising to a coved ceiling at the height of the building, is lit by windows on the second-floor level only. The Corinthian columns flanking the windows are picked out in white against the blue walls. Five great candle-lit chandeliers illuminated the room.
The tearoom with a double screen of columns at one end is also spectactular.
The original suite of rooms was completed by the octagon or card playing room, where an organ provided entertainment on Sundays when card playing was prohibited.
However, in 1777 another card room was built to cope with the vast number of people who congregated there.
Bath was transformed from a provincial watering place to an international resort in the 18th century under the influence of Beau Nash.
At the Assembly Rooms the high society of Georgian England gathered for balls and grand occasions where the rich flaunted their wealth and their offspring vied for suitable marriage partners.
Those who attended were expected to conform to certain standards of dress and behaviour as laid down by the Master of Ceremonies.
This was the world Jane Austin wrote about and Emma Woodhouse would certainly have revelled in the entertainments.
Concerts graced by such notable figures as Johann Strauss and Lizt continued to be popular but by the 19th century the Assembly Rooms had lost their attraction and they closed at the start of the First World War.
The Assembly Rooms were restored by the City of Bath after they were given to the National Trust in 1931.
However, they were severely damaged by bombs in 1942.
A complete reconstruction was begun in 1946, under the supervision of Sir Albert Richardson. He ensured that the building was an accurate reproduction of the original features and maintained the unique 18th century atmosphere.
In the basement is a Museum of Costume - not owned by the National Trust.
2008: 1 Mar-31 Oct: 11:00-18:00 Mon-Sun; 1 Nov-31 Jan 2009: 11:00-17:00 Mon-Sun; Last entry 1hr before close. Closed when functions and 25/26 Dec. Access guaranteed in Aug, other times telephone to check.
Tel: 01225 477789 Bath Assembly Rooms Website
