We’re delighted to be looking after the historic Bath Assembly Rooms as we begin to build a new Georgian experience that will reveal stories of its social life in a way that is tangible and exciting.
The National Trust has owned Bath Assembly Rooms since 1931 and in March 2023 took on the day to day management of this historic building. Work is underway to create an experience that will transport visitors back to the social scene of Georgian Bath in the late eighteenth-century, whilst remaining open during this transition as much as possible.
The Assembly Rooms are a significant part of the World Heritage Site of Bath and our ambition is to explore the important role they played in society, and what that means to us today, while celebrating its beauty and splendour.
We plan to create an experience that will transport our visitors to Georgian Bath through an interactive experience which explores the allure of assembly, chance and opportunity that came with a Georgian Ball, while exploring the role that the Assembly Rooms can play in the city today.
Our ambitious plans include reducing the carbon footprint of the building, adding air source heat pumps and a new electricity substation to reduce the use of fossil fuels. These plans were outlined in a planning application in January 2024 for which a decision is still pending. The plans included a new staircase to replace the current post-war construction, a lift to all floors and a changing places toilet which will help us reach our goals of enabling access for everyone.
A further application submitted in July 2024, expands on our plans for the new visitor experience. This includes the installation of projectors to create the scene of a Georgian Ball, additional lighting and new acoustic panels. Using audio visual equipment to create the Georgian scene means the experience is easy to turn off, allowing the building to still be used for modern day assembly like the partner events that are currently on offer today.
We're proposing some changes to the main entrance, replacing the post-war constructed doors to something that reflects the original character of the building. The doors will be bigger, making it easier for everyone to access the building and will improve energy efficiency. There's no structural change to the entrance, and the eighteenth-century portico columns will remain.
At this point we estimate the project to cost in excess of £17million and we'll be looking for external support to help realise this vision.
- Tom Boden, National Trust General Manager for the Bath Portfolio
Between now and opening we’ll be uncovering the history of the building, testing and finalising our plans and undertaking building works. We hope to open the new visitor offer in late 2026.
During this time we will open the rooms whenever possible, with behind-the-scenes tours to share the ongoing work and through partnership events. We'll be sharing the stories we uncover and gathering feedback on our plans for the future.
We are also working with partner organisations to see how the rooms can be used for public benefit during this period.
Find out what's on at the Bath Assembly Rooms here.
We're busy working with creative colleagues, partner organisations and the local community to develop an exciting and relevant future for the building.
Research and historical records are underpinning our decisions to ensure the full story of Bath Assembly Rooms can be enjoyed by everyone.
Through engaging communities and local groups, we want to make sure the Bath Assembly Rooms provide inclusive experiences and various ways people can get involved, including volunteering and programming opportunities.
July 2024
A further planning application was submitted to expand on the proposed new visitor offer. It reflects changes needed to create an immersive Georgian Ball and further improves access for everyone with changes to the main doors. View the application on the council's website.
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at the Assembly Rooms on the National Trust Collections website.
Explore the Bath Assembly Rooms through exciting partnership events and behind-the-scenes tours to uncover what once lay at the heart of fashionable Georgian society.
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