World Heritage Day

The World Heritage designation is a tremendous accolade for Bath. It recognises the City as belonging to an exclusive collection of world wide sites which surpass local or national importance and are part of the shared heritage of mankind.

With such recognition comes responsibility to protect and maintain the Site to the highest standards. This responsibility lies with all who cherish Bath and, to truly appreciate the city, you have to understand it. This is where World Heritage Day comes in, encouraging all of us to enjoy finding out more about this very special place and ensuring future generations can appreciate it too.

The City demonstrates multiple layers of cultural genius. The Romans had the foresight and technology to harness the only hot springs in this country and, in the same fantastic landscape setting, the Georgians built an elegant new town which influenced the architectural and social traditions of a nation.

Details of events taking place on World Heritage Day 2012...

Royal Victoria Park
A day of celebrations are planned for Sunday 22 April as Bath & North East Somerset Council, in partnership with Bath Preservation Trust, commemorates 25 years of Bath achieving World Heritage Site status. The World Heritage Day event will feature activities for the whole family to enjoy in Royal Victoria Park, on the lawn outside the Royal Crescent.

To mark this special anniversary, 100 children from St Andrews, Oldfield Junior and St John’s Catholic Primary Schools are filming their very own aerial “art attack” using the World Heritage Symbol (from 11am to 12.30pm on the Royal Crescent Lawn). Their film will feature as part of the 2012 People’s Archive on the forthcoming QUEST Cultural Olympiad project website due to launch in May.

Mayor’s Honorary Guides
Offering guided circular walks every hour at 11.50, 12.50, 13.50 and 14.50 around the architecture of upper Bath starting at the Roman Camp in Royal Victoria Park.
Free to all.

Roman military re-enactments with The Ermine Street Guard
People can enjoy Roman military re-enactments with The Ermine Street Guard and explore their Roman camp; with demonstrations of weaponry and manoeuvres throughout the day between 11am and 4pm. There will also be two special demonstrations at 12 noon and 2.30pm.

No.1 Royal Crescent
Open 10.30-17.00
(last admission 16.30)
Visit No.1 this World Heritage Day to meet our Georgian servants. Our much-loved costumed actors will bring to life the day to day challenges of running a household in the 18th century. Join Mr Adams, our Butler as he reveals the secrets of the Dining Room, whilst below stairs, Annie our Cook will be preparing something delicious. Costumed performances will take place throughout the day between 11.00am and 4.00pm.
Admission to No.1 is free for Bath and North-East Somerset residents with a Discovery Card on World Heritage Day.

Carving Stone at The Circus (11am-3pm)
Join local sculptor Laurence Tindall and letter carver Iain Cotton for a chance to have a go at stone carving inspired by floral designs. This event has been organised by the Bath Preservation Trust with the stone provided by the Bath Stone Group.

The Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street will be open 10.30-17.00 for visitors to explore the historical rooms that were at the heart of fashionable Georgian society, the perfect venue for entertainment. When completed in 1771, they were described as
‘the most noble and elegant of any in the kingdom’.

National Trust staff will be on hand to talk about the work that they do in Bath and the South Cotswolds and how you can get involved.
Free entry for Discovery Card holders and National Trust members.

If you require accommodation during World Heritage Day, use the 'Book Accommodation Nearby' box to the right, or use the Accommodation tab at the top of the page. This will provide you with an online booking service for accommodation in Bath and the surrounding area. Alternatively, contact our personal accommodation booking service: + 44 (0) 844 847 5256.