Circus, Bath

 
by cleocat
 
  •   Circus
    by cleocat
  • The Circus
      The Circus
    by spidermiss
  • The Circus
      The Circus
    by spidermiss
  • The Circus, Bath
      The Circus, Bath
    by toonsarah
  • Houses in the Circus, Bath
      Houses in the Circus, Bath
    by toonsarah
 

28 Reviews of Circus

Sort by: Most recent | Most helpful

Write a Review
The Circus & The Royal Crescent
King_Golo profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

King_Golo 847 reviews
The Royal Crescent
1 more image

Bath was a kind of experiment: In the 18th century, Ralph Allen, a rich businessman, bought the sandstone quarries of Claverton and Combe Down near Bath. Together with John Wood sr., he fulfilled his dream: to build a symmetric town resembling the buildings of the Roman antiquity. Ever since then, Bath is a sandstone gesamtkunstwerk. This is particularly obvious at The Circus and The Royal Crescent.

The Circus is a round square with three streets leading to it and some trees in the middle. All the facades look similar and thereby create a harmonic uniformity. 560 (!) different motifs adorn the frieze, and it is a lot of fun to look out for interesting depictions. The 18th century prime minister William Pitt lived here, as did David Livingstone.

The Royal Crescent is even more magnificent. Only 100m away, its 30 splendid houses demonstrate what harmonic architecture is supposed to look like. Situated on top of a hill, this semi-circular row of houses is among the most spectacular I've seen in terms of architecture. The semi-circle opens into a hillside park so that you can enjoy both views down the hill over the town and up the hill towards The Royal Crescent.

Updated Feb 4, 2011

Address: The Circus / The Royal Crescent

Related to:
 Architecture

Was this review helpful?

Amazing Buildings
cleocat profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

cleocat 224 reviews

I must admit I didn't listen to the explanation very well. It was something about regardless where you stand you will see the front of a building.

It is magnificent though. I was too amazed by the lovely architecture to listen.

Written Feb 1, 2011

Related to:
 Architecture
 Historical Travel

Was this review helpful?

Perfect harmony
toonsarah profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

toonsarah 2342 reviews
The Circus, Bath
2 more images

While the Royal Crescent is perhaps more famous, and is certainly stunning, my own preference is for the relative intimacy of this elegant circle of terraced houses just to its east. It was designed by John Wood the Elder and begun by him in 1754, but only completed in 1768 under the direction of his son John Wood the Younger after a hiatus of several years.

The innovative form consists of three even-sized terraces of houses curving around a central circular space, and each separated from the other by the entrance into the circle of a street. The centre is today planted with London Plane trees but was originally left open as a sort of forum where residents could meet and do business (several notable politicians had their Bath residence here, including William Pitt in his second term as Prime Minister).

It is said that Wood was inspired by the amphitheatres of Ancient Rome (he even talked of an “exhibition of sports” taking place at the centre of his Circus) and by druidical stone circles. It has also been said that both of the Woods were intrigued by Masonic symbolism, and it perhaps not an accident that seen from above the Circus and nearby Royal Crescent appear a little like the sun and moon. The Circus, along with Gay Street and Queens Square, also forms a key shape which is another Masonic symbol.

Whatever drove Wood, he created a masterpiece of form that inspired others after him and set the tone for a frenzy of elegant building construction in his century’s most fashionable city.

Updated Mar 15, 2009

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Architecture

Was this review helpful?

The Circus
mallyak profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

mallyak 719 reviews
2 more images

Divided into three segments of equal length, the Circus is a circular space surrounded by large townhouses. Each of the curved segments faces one of the three entrances, thereby ensuring that whichever way a visitor enters there is a beautiful facade straight ahead.

Written Sep 24, 2008

Was this review helpful?

Circus
Dabs profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Dabs 3767 reviews
3 more images

The Circus in Bath has nothing to do with clowns and lion tamers, circus is the Latin word for circle and the Circus here is a circle of three buildings designed by one of Bath's main architects, John Wood the Elder. The elder Wood died before it was completed so his son John Wood the Younger completed the plans. It is said to be John Wood the Elder's finest work.

There are three segments of buildings forming the circle and each segment has three floors. The exterior is adorned with three different types of columns, Corinthian on the top, Ionic in the middle and Doric on the bottom.

Updated Feb 12, 2008

Was this review helpful?

The Circus
suvanki profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

suvanki 2031 reviews
Houses , The Circus, Bath

This is one of Baths most famous examples of Georgian Architecture. The Circus was originally named Kings Circus.

The name of circus comes from the latin translation of ring/oval/circle.

John Wood the Elder had grand plans for the architecture of Bath, and this circular street of large townhouses is considered to be his masterpiece! He was inspired by the Colosseum in Rome, but instead of following the design of the outer being the most important view, he designed the circle to be admired from the inner. It was intended to be used for civic functions and games.

The foundation stone was laid by John Wood the Elder on 18th May 1754, sadly, he died five days afterwards, leaving his son John Wood the Younger, to complete this incredible project .

33 houses, built on 3 storeys, arranged in a circle, formed by 3 long curved terraces (the first circular street in Britain) the diameter of Stonehenge!

Roman architectural styles (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian) can be seen in ascending levels, each becoming more ornate.

The central grassed park area was originally formed of stone setts, which covered the reservoir which supplied water for the houses.

Many of these houses were demolished during WW2, when a bomb scored a direct hit during the Baedeker Blitz in 1942.

Updated Jul 29, 2007

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Architecture
 Arts and Culture

Was this review helpful?

The Circus
sswagner profile photo

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

sswagner 770 reviews
The Circus

The Circus is inspired by Roman architecture. It is round like the Colosseum, and three orders of columns are associated with the three stories of the building. This is an unusual feature in this area, as squares were common rather than circles. The center of the circle is a nice green area. These townhouses were certainly built for the wealthy. Bath was the place to live and be seen.

Written Dec 29, 2006

Related to:
 Architecture
 Trains
 Historical Travel

Was this review helpful?

The Circus - a georgian beauty
Airpunk profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Airpunk 1505 reviews
The Circus, Bath
3 more images

In Bath, you will find a couple of masterpieces of georgian architecture, with two really outstanding : The Royal Crescent and the Circus. The Circus is a complex of buildings, built between 1754 and 1768. It was designed by John Wood the Elder, but completed by his son, John Wood the Younger. The central place was originally designed as a water reservoir, but now trees are planted on it. A part of it was destroyed during german attacks in 1942, but reconstructed in its original style.

33 houses form a perfect circle with the three streets entering arranged in a 120 degree angle. This does not only make sure that you will have a look on the facades when you enter the Circus but also means symmetry. Many elements from classic roman architecture were used in this building. Acorns on the top of the houses were placed, honoring King Bladud who, according to a legend, founded the city of Bath. But perhaps the most interesting decoration on the buildings are over 500 symbols you will found carved into the frieze. They repeat on the one or other building, but it seems that they are not placed in any particular order. People say, that the architect wanted to leave a kind of coded message, but that was never proved of course.

Written Aug 22, 2006

Related to:
 Architecture

Was this review helpful?

The Circus
Sjalen profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Sjalen 3561 reviews
1 more image

One of the most famous circuses in the country, and full of 18th century town houses for the well heeled in the city. If you were to see the inside layout, you would see the typical "Upstairs Downstairs" of 18th century England with the nanny and butler residing on the top floor and the kitchen being in the basement. Visit no 1 Royal Crescent to get an idea...

Updated Feb 28, 2006

Address: The Circus

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Architecture
 Arts and Culture

Was this review helpful?

The Circus
Emmjai profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Emmjai 199 reviews
2 more images

Designed by John Wood, this circular group of houses repays study. Notice the three sets of pillars on the buildings, reflecting Ionic, Doric and corinthian pillars, similar to the Collisium in Rome. Included by Wood, not as perhaps you might imagine because of the association between Bath and Rome, but because classic archetecture of the eighteenth and Nineteenth century looked to Rome for inspiration. Wood took a lot of his inspiration from the past, and, for example, the distance accross the circus is the same as the diameter seen at Stonehenge. Pay particular attention to the carvings above the first floor, reflecting Masonic and Pagan symbols, anther qurik of Wood, as well as the acorns on the roof tops (see photo). The legend is that Bath and its healing springs were first discovered by a waywood prince whose pigs were cured of swine fever. Pigs like acorns, so the legend is acknowledged by Wood.

Updated Oct 1, 2005

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Festivals

Was this review helpful?

Top 3 Hotels in Bath

Apsley House Hotel  Bath

 1 Review and 400 Opinions  One of the finest guest houses in Bath. The ideal place to take someone special for a treat... Not... 

 Hotels in Bath

The Halcyon  Bath

 1 Review and 312 Opinions  We stayed at The Halcyon for 3 days and had the most memorable and wonderful stay. The hotel is a... 

 Hotels in Bath

Queensberry Hotel  Bath

 1 Review and 362 Opinions  Great location and 'good vibrations'. Built in 1771 as a townhouse for the Marquis of Queensberry,... 

 Hotels in Bath

The Place

Circus

Circus tips and photos posted by real travelers and Bath locals.

  Write a Review  
Experience Bath
 

The People

214 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
 profile photo

 Designed by John Wood, this circular group of houses repays study. Notice the three sets of pillars on the buildings, reflecting Ionic, Doric and corinthian... 

214 members live in Bath

 

Questions and Answers

taurean_traveller profile photo

Q:  Hi all 1) Are there Park and Ride facilities in and around Bath? 2) If we want to spend the day (or best part of) in the centre... 

toonsarah profile photo

A: There are indeed Park & Ride facilities and I would strongly recommend using them. Bath streets were designed for carriages not cars! Some are now pedestrianised, others... 

Read 2 Replies

postQuestion_button

Top Bath Writers

1

A Visit to Jane Austen's Town

pedersdottir profile photo

 She preferred the quiet of country life. But circumstance and family connections brought Jane Austen to live in Bath between the years 1801-1806. Several incidents of her life here became part of the... 

2

Baaaaarth, Darling !

coceng profile photo

 CHIPPENHAM<<<<BATH>>>>>BRISTOLENGLAND9th June 2004 (Wednesday) My last destination for the day ! Phew ! What a day that was... From London, by train; 'Bomb-Scared' as we... 

3

An afternoon in Bath

toonsarah profile photo

  My work recently took me back to Bath after many years, and as it’s always been one of my favourite English cities I took an extra afternoon to explore and take photos for VT. In just a few hours I... 

4

Home to Britain's only Hot Springs

jo104 profile photo

 I have been to Bath a few times as my cousin used to live here, but I think my best trip was my most recent spa trip with a gaggle of girls. The new therme spa is quite an experience & I would urge... 

5

Bath

Dabs profile photo

 Bath is a lovely place to spend a day or two, soaking up the charms of the city. It's history dates back at least to the 1st century AD when the Romans built a spa here, active for around 400 years.... 

View all rated pages

View newest pages

Build your own Bath page

Travel Editors for Bath

barryg23 profile photo