Why families will love visiting No. 1 Royal Crescent in Bath

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When planning a trip to Bath with kids, it can be tempting to stick to the big headline attractions like The Roman Baths or Bath Abbey. But during our recent visit, we found that some of the most memorable experiences came from the slightly less obvious stops. One of those was No. 1 Royal Crescent, a beautifully restored Georgian townhouse that offers a fascinating glimpse into life in the 18th century.

Where is No. 1 Royal Crescent?

No. 1 Royal Crescent sits at the very end of the famous Royal Crescent in Bath, overlooking the wide grassy lawn in front. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Bath city centre and easy to reach on foot after visiting other attractions such as Bath Abbey or The Roman Baths.

Address:
No. 1 Royal Crescent
Bath
BA1 2LR
United Kingdom

Contact:
Phone number: 01225 428126
Website: no1royalcrescent.org.uk
Email: info@bptrust.org.uk

📍 View No. 1 Royal Crescent on Google Maps

If you’re arriving by car, the closest parking is in the Charlotte Street car park, which is only a short walk away. For families using public transport, Bath Spa train station is about a 15-minute walk.

Prices

Entry to No. 1 Royal Crescent is very reasonable for families, especially compared to some of the bigger attractions in Bath. At the time of our visit:

• Adults – £16
• Children under 18 – free when accompanied by a paying adult 
• Multi-museum ticket – £27.50
  Admission to No.1, the Herschel Museum of Astronomy and Beckford’s Tower

Booking online in advance is recommended, particularly during weekends or school holidays, as it guarantees your spot.

Opening Times

No. 1 Royal Crescent is open most of the year, with slightly different hours depending on the season. Generally, it opens in the morning and closes late afternoon. Last entry is usually around an hour before closing time, so it’s worth checking before you go to avoid disappointment.

We recommend looking at the official website before your visit, as special events or school holidays can affect the timings. However, this is an idea of opening times from 2025.

Tuesday – Sunday
10am – 5.30pm
Last entry 4.30pm

First impressions of the Royal Crescent

If you’ve ever seen a picture of Bath, chances are you’ve seen the iconic Royal Crescent. This sweeping curve of thirty terraced houses is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and it’s even more impressive in person. If, like me, you’re also a Bridgerton fan, you’re bound to recognise this street from many of the episodes. 

We started our visit by walking across the green in front of the crescent, where you can take in the full view. I’d never seen anything quite like this before, and it was such a wonderful way to our visit and a quick glimpse into Regency Bath. 

What is No. 1 Royal Crescent?

No.1 Royal Crescent is a historic site and museum set inside the first house built on the royal crescent, carefully restored and furnished to show how it would have looked in the late 18th century. Step back in time and discover the story of the people who might have lived there. Each room tells a story about the people who might have lived there, from wealthy aristocrats to the servants who worked behind the scenes.

A visit here is different compared to other museums in Bath, as the story is told with a mix of both film and sound. You get to move around the decorated and furnished rooms, with each having something different to listen to or watch. This plays on a loop so if you want to spend more time in one room, you can easily move on to the next one when you’re ready. This was such a fun way to show a museum collection and it’s such an immersive experience that brings the house to life. 

It’s one thing to look around and see how a house has been decorated, furnished just as it might have been in the Georgianera however, listening to characters and learning of their day to day life was something else. This is such a great way to keep children interested and also entertained as you move around the rooms. 

Visiting with kids

We’ll be honest: when we first added No. 1 Royal Crescent to our Bath itinerary, we weren’t sure how well it would hold our Erin’s attention. Although she’s happy to go to museums, she sometimes gets a bit bored after a while. However, this one surprised us! 

As soon as we walked into the first room and heard people talking, stories being told, Erin realised this museum experience was going to be different. Obviously, this is Georgian town house is full of exciting pictures and objects but adding the human element made this such an immersive tour. The museum has clearly put thought into the best way to tell a story and how to make it a great place for families to visit. 

Here are some of the things that really helped:

• Family trails: At the entrance, you can pick up an activity sheet designed for children. This will encourage children to look carefully in each room and spot different objects, almost like a treasure hunt. 
• Dressing up opportunities: There are a few hats and costumes to try on, which added some light-hearted fun. Erin loved pretending to be a Georgian lady, although she did say the clothes looked far too heavy to wear in summer!
• Manageable size: Unlike some larger historic houses, No. 1 Royal Crescent is compact enough that you can explore it without little ones getting tired or restless.

One thing to note is that, due to the historic nature of the house, prams and buggies are not allowed through the house. There are baby changing facilities on site if you ask a staff member, and there are some steep and narrow staircases to navigate. 

Our family highlights

Every room was interesting in its own way, but a few stood out as particular highlights for us as a family:

• The Dining Room: This was probably our daughter’s favourite. The table was set for a grand dinner, complete with silverware and fine china. She asked lots of questions about the food people would have eaten and couldn’t believe how many courses a single meal could have.
• The Bedrooms: Seeing the four-poster bed was a real eye-opener. She was fascinated by how tall the bed was and the fact that people didn’t sleep lying completely flat. Comparing it to her own modern bed led to plenty of questions! One of the biggest surprises for Erin was learning that men and women had different bedrooms! 
• The Servants’ Quarters: The kitchens, laundry, and workrooms really brought home the idea that a whole team of people worked behind the scenes to make the grand life upstairs possible. The contrast between upstairs and downstairs was something she picked up on straight away.

Combining with other family-friendly attractions

One of the best things about Bath is how compact it is, making it easy to fit several attractions into one day without too much walking. After visiting No. 1 Royal Crescent, we had a stroll into the centre of Bath, walking past The Circus, another place that blew us away!

Other family-friendly Bath highlights include:

• The Roman Baths: Educational and fun, though busier than No. 1 Royal Crescent.
• Bath Abbey: A beautiful spot to explore and climb the tower if your children are old enough.
• The Jane Austen Centre: A good option for older children with an interest in books or period drama.
• Tootbus Tour: A hop-on-hop-off bus that gives little legs a break while still taking in the sights.

Our verdict

We weren’t sure how family-friendly No. 1 Royal Crescent would be, but it exceeded our expectations. This magnificently restored town-house museum has a mix of elegant rooms and “below stairs” areas. This, combined with the activity sheets and interactive elements, made it a really engaging visit for us all.

It’s a manageable size for younger children and offers a fascinating introduction to Georgian life that feels very different from other attractions in Bath. For families visiting the city, we’d definitely recommend adding it to your list.

After the main house museum, don’t miss a visit to the museum shop to get a souviner from your visit. 

What to do in Bath as a family