Project

Future plans for Bath Assembly Rooms

A visual of the proposed new feel for the Ball Room as part of the new Georgian visitor experience — Artists impression of the ball for the new Georgian visitor experience | © Sarner International Ltd

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.

Our ambition for the future

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. The plans include 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.

With planning permission now granted work begins to transforms the plans into a programme of works due to start in 2025. At this stage we estimate the project to cost in excess of £17million and we'll be looking for external support to help realise this vision.

'We’re so pleased to have received planning permission which enables us to continue with ambitious plans to breathe new life into this significant heritage building in Bath, providing a new Georgian visitor experience and a place for 21st-century assembly. I’d like to extend my thanks to the many partners and stakeholders that have supported us in reaching this milestone and for their ongoing support as work now begins on the next chapter of Bath Assembly Rooms.’

- Tom Boden, National Trust General Manager for the Bath Portfolio

The next few years at the Bath Assembly Rooms

Between now and opening we’ll be uncovering the history of the building, testing and finalising our plans and undertaking building works. Once building work begins, we estimate the property will be closed for eighteen to twenty-four months.

Prior to the contruction work, 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.

Georgian chandeliers in the café at Bath Assembly Rooms, Bath — Georgian chandeliers at the Bath Assembly Rooms | © National Trust Images/ Dawn Biggs

What's going on behind the scenes

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.