Bath Assembly Rooms

The Assembly Rooms are one of the most iconic buildings in Bath and are a popular tourist attraction. The rooms are open to the public for tours and events, and they are also a popular venue for weddings and other celebrations.

The four rooms in the Bath Assembly Rooms are:

• The Ballroom: This is the largest room in the complex and is known for its beautiful chandeliers and ornate plasterwork. The Ballroom was originally used for balls and other dances, and it is still used for events today.

• The Tea Room: This room was originally used for serving tea and other refreshments to visitors. It is now used for a variety of events, including conferences and weddings.

• The Card Room: This room was originally used for playing cards and other games. It is now used for a variety of events, including exhibitions and recitals.

• The Octagon: This is the smallest room in the complex and is known for its unique octagonal shape. It is now used for a variety of events, including meetings and private dinners.

The Bath Assembly Rooms are a beautiful and historic building that is well worth a visit. They offer a glimpse into the social life of Bath in the 18th century and are a popular venue for events today.

Jane Austen Connection

The Bath Assembly Rooms have a strong connection with Jane Austen, both in her personal life and her literary works.

In Jane Austen's Life:

• Social Hub: The Assembly Rooms were the central location for high society in Georgian Bath, hosting balls, concerts, teas, and card evenings. Austen, who lived in Bath from 1801 to 1805 with her family, attended these events.

• Personal Experience: She would have danced under the chandeliers and observed the social dynamics, courtship rituals, and class hierarchies that were on display—all of which provided her with rich material for her novels.

• Family Connection: Her uncle, James Leigh Perrot, was on the management committee of the Rooms, giving her a potential behind-the-scenes insight into the city's social politics.

In Jane Austen's Novels:

• Setting in Novels: The Bath Assembly Rooms (specifically the Upper Rooms) are a key setting and feature prominently in two of her novels set in Bath:

• Northanger Abbey: The heroine, Catherine Morland, attends the Rooms where she has experiences central to the story, including meeting Henry Tilney at the Lower Rooms.

• Persuasion: The Assembly Rooms are mentioned and used as a backdrop for the social life of the characters, such as Anne Elliot and her family.

• Themes: The Rooms symbolise the "marriage market" and the pressures of Georgian society, where people went to see and be seen, and where social connections were made or broken. Austen used these scenes to provide witty social commentary.

Useful Links

National Trust: Bath Assembly Rooms (Opens in new window) Provides visitor information incuding: Closure for Renovation, Historical Context, Contact and Location, Future Plans, Events/Projects, Facilities and Accessibility, Getting There, and Connecting with the Site.

Facebook: Bath Assembly Rooms (Opens in new window) Catch up on the latest photos, news and events, and renovation information.

X: Bath Assembly Rooms (Opens in new window) Provides updates on the building's renovation and restoration project.

Instagram: Bath Assembly Rooms (Opens in new window)

Jane Austen Centre A museum and visitor attraction located in a Georgian townhouse that offers exhibits, interactive displays, and a Regency Tea Room to bring the author's life, works, and the culture of the Regency era to life for fans and history enthusiasts.