Welcome to Bath

Get a Georgian Glow-Up
2025-11-22 00:00 - 2026-01-04 23:59 (Europe/London) | No.1 Royal Crescent, 1 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LR
This Christmas, visitors to Bath will be invited to step into the shoes of their regency forebears, as No. 1 Royal Crescent Museum and Bath Theatrical Costume Hire collaborate to launch two immersive heritage experiences: The Portrait Parlour and The Georgian Glow Up. Together, they offer an opportunity to explore Bath’s Georgian era through costume, photography, and cultural engagement.

Experience One: The Portrait Parlour: Slip into costume and frame yourself in a time gone by

Located in the first gallery room of No. 1 Royal Crescent, The Portrait Parlour will provide visitors with the opportunity to don period-style clothing and capture their own “portraits” (selfies). A selection of easy-to-wear “slip-on” costumes will be available, designed to fit comfortably over everyday clothing. Visitors may take their own photographs or selfies within the themed set.

Experience Two: Georgian Glow Up: The Heritage Wardrobe – Hire the look, live the history

In the adjoining exhibition room, The Georgian Glow Up will offer a full costume hire service, presenting a range of Georgian and Regency attire displayed on dressed mannequins. Visitors can pre-book costumes for collection and enjoy an overnight hire, allowing them to experience Bath’s streets, architecture and atmosphere while dressed in authentic period clothing.

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Christmas Party Night at The Pump Room Restaurant
2025-11-28 19:00 - 23:59, 2025-12-11 19:00 - 23:59 | The Pump Room Bath, Searcys at the Pump Room, Stall Street, Bath, Bath & North East Somerset, BA1 1LZ, United Kingdom
Enjoy a magical drinks reception around the atmospheric, torch-lit Roman Baths. Join friends, new and old, at joiner tables in the gorgeous Pump Room. Savour a delicious three-course meal with all the Christmas trimmings, before dancing the night away!Tickets from £85.

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A Major Murder: A Roman Baths Mystery
2025-12-03 18:15 - 22:45 | The Roman Baths, Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1LZ, United Kingdom
Step back in time to 1897 and join us at the Roman Baths for a thrilling evening of drama, suspense, and murder! You are invited to solve the mysterious death of Major Charles Davis, found dead during the grand unveiling of the Roman Promenade at the Roman Baths. Upon arrival, enjoy a complimentary drink and mingle with your teammates, then explore the ancient monument, interrogate the suspects and unmask the culprit in this captivating murder mystery experience.Tickets £35.

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The true costs of pleasure: visiting Georgian Bath
2025-12-03 19:30 - 21:00 | BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath, Bath & North East Somerset, BA1 2HN, United Kingdom
The costs of the pleasures of visiting Bath in the Georgian period were not only the price of tickets to the balls, of tips for the Sedan chairmen and many other expenses, but also the external costs to the (often colonial) people and places, from where the wealth that paid the bills came from.

Between 1777 and 1808, the Franks family visited Bath at least eight times. What changes did they see in their amusements and how much did it cost them? What about the wider costs of how they acquired their wealth: through diamonds, land speculation, East Indiamen shipping, ownership of a Jamaican sugar plantation and their treatment of the enslaved? How key were such colonial revenues in Georgian Bath?

Bath became the centre of the Franks’ social networks and their story also involves divorce, lunacy, exile from America, and how as a converted Jewish family they dealt with the prejudices of the time.

Those watching the talk at Queen Square will be able to buy a copy of Colin Fisher’s fascinating book about the Franks family on the night.

Dr Colin Fisher studied Indian history, then had a career as a professor of management but returned to history and Bath on retirement. He is a Mayor’s Guide and has written books on Stefano Pieroni and his fountain and on the Royal Crescent, he has also been researching the Indian nabobs in Bath.

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Italy in the Global Renaissance
2025-12-10 19:30 - 21:00 | BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath, Bath & North East Somerset, BA1 2HN, United Kingdom
But where did it all begin, and how did the Italian Renaissance relate to the broader global picture? As part of the Renaissance: Journeys of Discovery series BRLSI are delighted to be joined by Professor Virginia Cox, author of the forthcoming Cambridge University Press book The Italian Renaissance: A Cultural History”.

Her talk offers a fresh vision of an iconic moment in cultural history, and explores key artistic, literary, and intellectual developments, while investigating the Renaissance beyond Florence. This talk visits a wide range of communities around the world: from minority-ethnic and minority-religious communities in Renaissance Italy, to the Jesuit missions in India, Japan & China and the diffusion of Renaissance culture (in its Iberian and Italian variants) in the Americas and in Asia.

In doing so Professor Cox delivers an incisive overview of Italy’s relationship with the European and non-European worlds, the ethnic and religious diversity within Italy and the global dissemination and hybridisation of Italian Renaissance culture.

Virginia Cox, Honorary Professor of Early Modern Italian Literature & Culture, Senior Research Fellow, Trinity College. Virginia graduated with a PhD from Cambridge and worked at the University of Edinburgh, UCL, University of Cambridge and New York University, before returning to Cambridge as Senior Research Fellow at Trinity College in 2021.

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Phenomenal Women: An Evening with Susannah Harker
2025-12-14 16:15 - 18:30 | The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Beau St, Bath, BA1 1QY
Looking for a memorable way to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday week? Join The Gainsborough Bath Spa for a unique literary event in the heart of Bath—featuring none other than ‘Jane Bennet’ herself, Susannah Harker

Enjoy an intimate conversation as the award-winning actor and writer reflects on her career, her connection to Austen’s world, and how the author continues to inspire her own storytelling. Their resident expert Gabrielle Malcolm will guide the discussion and open the floor to a friendly, relaxed Q&A.

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Jane Austen's 250th Birthday Party
2025-12-16 17:30 - 21:00 | Jane Austen Centre, 40 Gay Street, Bath, BANES, BA1 2NT, United Kingdom
Celebrate the 250th birthday of one of England’s most beloved authors, Jane Austen, with an unforgettable evening at the Jane Austen Centre. Step into Jane’s world and immerse yourself in the elegance, wit, and charm of the Regency era.

Meet your favourite characters from Jane’s novels as they bring her timeless stories to life through engaging readings from her most cherished works. Enjoy the festive atmosphere with mulled wine, seasonal drinks, and birthday cake served in honour of Jane herself.

Your experience also includes access to the Jane Austen Exhibition, where you can:

Meet the world-famous waxwork model of Jane Austen, a must-see highlight for every visitor

Explore the fascinating world of Regency Bath and discover Jane’s connection to the city

Try on authentic Regency costumes and step into the style of the era

Write with a traditional quill and ink pen

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The Frankenstein Experience
2025-12-21 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-28 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-29 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-30 15:00 - 17:00 | Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein, 37 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT, United Kingdom
THIS FESTIVE SEASON, UNEARTH BATH’S DARKEST SECRET…

This December, as the city sparkles with festive cheer, a shadow stirs beneath the lights…

Back by popular demand, Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein and Show of Strength Theatre Company invite you to step into the flickering candlelight and experience The Frankenstein Experience — a thrilling theatrical tour through Bath’s most haunting history.

Step into a world where history and imagination intertwine. This immersive tour reveals Bath’s hidden stories of secrets, lies, scandals and reputations lost — all woven through the life of Mary Shelley and the creation of her legendary novel, Frankenstein.

Walk in Mary’s footsteps and explore the city that inspired her masterpiece before continuing your journey inside Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein, where the atmosphere deepens and her story comes vividly to life.

Discover a different side of Bath this December — one that lingers long after the lights have faded.

The Frankenstein Experience tours take place on 21st, 28th, 29th & 30th December at 3pm.

Event Details:

• A one-hour walking tour with Sheila Hannon, Show of Strength Theatre Company.Walk in Mary Shelley’s footsteps as she created her Gothic masterpiece. See where she lived and explore Bath’s Regency side streets in a fascinating tale of secrets and lies, suicides and ruined reputations on this award-winning tour. NOTE: Meet outside Sally Lunn’s, 4 North Parade Passage, Bath.

• Entry to Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein.Discover the incredible story of Mary Shelley and all things Frankenstein on a self-guided tour of the multi award-winning museum. Crammed with unusual items, ominous soundtracks and bespoke smells and effects, the museum delivers an original and entertaining experience.

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New Year’s Eve Ball at The Pump Room Restaurant
2025-12-31 19:00 - 2026-01-01 01:00 | The Pump Room Bath, Searcys at the Pump Room, Stall Street, Bath, Bath & North East Somerset, BA1 1LZ, United Kingdom
Ring in 2026 with style, sparkle and celebration in a truly historic setting. A canape reception beside the steaming waters of the Roman Baths will be followed by an indulgent 4-course dinner with wine, and musical entertainment. Try your luck at the casino tables with blackjack and roulette, strike a pose in the photo booth, and toast to the New Year in spectacular fashion!Tickets from £100.

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Bath Record Office Display of Health and Medicine Texts
2026-01-05 00:00 - 2026-02-13 23:59 | Bath Record Office, Guildhall, High Street, Bath, BANES, BA1 5AW, United Kingdom
To coincide with ReBalance Bath – Festival of Wellbeing 2026, the Bath Record Office has curated a display from its rare books and archive collections on ‘Health, Spa Waters and Medicine in Bath’.

The display case in the south wing of the Guildhall features a rare copy of William Turner’s ‘Herbal’ (1562) and a small 16th century pocket sized book offering advice on how to analyse urine. Also on display is one of only two surviving 18th century case books from the ‘Min’ Hospital in its earliest days. The attending physician, William Oliver, has written his initials ‘W.O.’ on several of the cases written in the book. You can also see a rare surviving manuscript doctor’s prescription (1675) and two early photos taken of Bath Spa water treatments from the early 20th century.

The display case is located at the entrance to the Bath Record Office in the south wing of the Guildhall, accessible via the main entrance.

You may view the case from 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday.

If you would like more information on the display or any items at the Bath Record Office, please go to their website at batharchives.co.uk or email at archives@bathnes.gov.uk.

The Bath Record Office is appointment only, so do email if you would like to visit. The team would be delighted to help you with your research or simply explain more about the special collections and archives they care for in the Guildhall.

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BANES Women Leadership Network and Bath Women's Fund - Women and Girls of Bath Walk
2026-01-11 10:00 - 12:00 | The Holburne Museum, Bath, BA2 4DB
Join the Women’s Leadership Network on a Sunday to find out more about amazing women through Bath’s history who lived or worked in the city in their ‘Women and Girls of Bath’ Treasure Hunt.

This builds on their previous linear walks (starting at The Holburne and Fairfield House) with lots of new stories and places.

Meet/ park at The Holburne – Emma and Isobel will guide you on a circular route of approx 5k and will end back where you started.

All funds raised from the walk go to a local charity supporting women and girls.

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David Olusoga - History's Missing Chapter
2026-01-16 19:30 - 21:00 | The Forum Bath, 1A Forum Buildings, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1UG, United Kingdom
Multi-Award-Winning producer, presenter, historian and professor, David Olusoga examines some of history’s missing chapters to uncover how and why some events and some people are remembered and others forgotten.

David Olusoga is a household name, having been recently selected to star in the hit BBC TV series, ‘Celebrity Traitors’, presenter of the award winning BBC television series, ‘A House Through Time’ and ‘The Union.’

Professor David Olusoga is a bestselling author, including titles, ‘Black & British: A Forgotten History’ (awarded both the Longman-History Today Trustees Award and the PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize): The World’s War, Black & British A Short Essential History: The Kaiser’s Holocaust: Germany’s Forgotten Genocide and the Colonial Roots of Nazism.

Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester, and a columnist for The Observer, David also writes for The Guardian, The New Statesman, The Voice and BBC History Magazine.

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Handle with Care: Cornelia Parker & Historic Glass at No.1 Royal Crescent
2026-02-07 00:00 - 2026-05-10 23:59 | No.1 Royal Crescent, 1 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LR
A new exhibition at No.1 Royal Crescent7 February – 10 May 2026The Gallery at No.1 Royal Crescent, Bath

No.1 Royal Crescent presents Handle with Care: Cornelia Parker & Historic Glass, an exhibition that looking through the eyes of one of Britain’s most acclaimed contemporary artists, Cornelia Parker, at the historic glass and found objects that inspire her work and artistic process.

This exhibition will juxtapose Cornelia Parker’s series One Day This Glass Will Break (2015); Thirty Pieces of Silver (exposed) (2015); Fox Talbot’s Articles of Glass (2017) and Through a Glass Darkly (2020) with Georgian historic glass. The show explores Parker’s enduring fascination with the histories of objects and materials by pairing her photogravures of light and shadow cast by glassware with the historic artefacts that inspired them. This dialogue invites visitors to consider how these familiar forms, as Parker notes, “descend from their shelves and create new compositions” within her prints.

Inspired by 19th century photography pioneer William Henry Fox Talbot’s ground-breaking photographs and photogravure technique, Parker has created a hybrid technique by placing actual glassware onto an etching plate treated with a light sensitive emulsion, which captures the objects’ shadows when exposed to ultraviolet light. In doing so she transforms the once familiar items into something very unfamiliar. This process is part of Parker’s career-long fascination with taking the recognisable, and pushing it to a point of abstraction. This slow, contemplative method of printing creates an effect on some of the monochrome prints that is almost painterly, as items blur in and out of focus.

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Robert Colls on George Orwell: Life and Legacy with John Gray
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath, York Street, Bath, BA1 1NG, United Kingdom
Join Robert Colls at Topping and Company to celebrate his latest publication, George Orwell: Life and Legacy. This event will be chaired by John Gray, author of Feline Philosophy and The New Leviathans.

George Orwell: Life and Legacy is an intellectual biography which offers an authentic account of Orwell’s life and work from his birth in the high noon of British imperialism in 1903, to his death on the eve of the Cold War in 1950-a life played out against a background of two world wars, the rise of communism, and the war-time pre-eminence of the United States.

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Mary Beard for Talking Classics
2026-04-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Bath Pavilion, N Parade Rd, Bathwick, Bath, BA2 4EU
In Talking Classics, Mary Beard points to the surprising connections between antiquity and the present. From revolutionaries to dictators, Bob Dylan to Beyonce, she joins forces with the varied modern characters who have been transfixed by the ancient world. After half a century teaching and studying classics, she fills the book with lively stories, curious facts and some good gossip. Talking Classics explains why the deep past does really affect us all.

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The Jane Austen Festival
2026-09-11 00:00 - 2026-09-20 23:59
Ten days celebrating all things Austen in the beautiful city of Bath – including the famous Regency costumed parade.

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