Sarah's adventures in Bath part II

On the second day we took a taxi all the way up to the Royal Crescent and walked down, via the Circus, past the assembly room and down Milsom Street.  I would have liked to have gone poking around the back of the Royal Crescent as I have been told that though the fronts are uniform, the backs are all different, but I knew my limitations.

Unfortunately there are all the cars and the scaffolding on the one being repaired, but it gives some idea.

Looking across the wonderful green in front of the royal crescent; I think this is Marlborough Buildings

Number 1 is a museum.  I looked at the steps and quailed, and we did not go round it this time.  One of the things on my wishlist for next time.

this is as wide an angle as I could get on the circus without it getting really distorted

it's circular and they all look like this ....

The road leading to the Upper AssemblyRooms goes off sort of 1/3 of the way around from the road leading to the royal cresent. It's called Bennett St.  Inspiration much, Miss Austen?

the upper assembly rooms

We didn't get downstairs to the museum of fashion either; another one to go on my wish list.  Opposite this face is the back of some of the houses in the circus:

now to my mind these backs are grand enough to be fronts!  I'd love to have the view from those upper windows which I think if I have my orientation correct is off towards Lansdown.

in the vestibule.  I did my best with the interior shots; sorry they are not better

the great octagonal card playing room. those open doors are opposite the door from the vestibule into where they now have refreshments; the photo is from the door into the ballroom. 

the ballroom.  I made it 44 candles per candelabrum and 5 of them, and 4 candles to the pound for the long ones for a ball  so 55 shillings per ball; call it three quid, not even considering the candles in the other rooms. In perspective an upper servant earned £25 a year. there were two balls a week.

the ballroom ceiling

the balcony, I presume for the band.

the tea room; there was some sort of children's craft activity in here so we didn't stay

after leaving the assembly room we went down a little alley and found ourselves between the backs of houses where there were mews. I've never seen mews before so I was dead chuffed as they are pretty much untampered with save to have garage doors instead of coach doors.

Looking down Milsom Street.  My husband said 'that bike is an anachronism', and I said, 'no. it's a Yamaha'.

I think this is the last bow-fronted shop in the street. 

Somerset Buildings Milsom St with the central Bow

Mr Godwin's Library, I believe

By the time we got to the bottom we were hoping for a cuppa at the Jane Austen Centre; so we turned right, and trailed up the hill past Queen Square, only to find that the tea room was up 2 flights, it was closing in 5 minutes, and the museum was on various levels too, so we departed without looking around, tired, in pain, and disgruntled.  We mislaid ourselves a little bit but found ourselves outside the theatre royal, which had not been on my itinerary so that was a bonus.

the theatre royal.

And we found a nice Italian restauraunt across the square from the theatre where I discovered wild boar and pork meatballs which were incredible.  Especially to two famished and exhausted middle aged women with mobility issues and a growing case of snippy temper. 

Next, Pulteney Bridge and Parade Gardens. I regret I did not get to Sydney Gardens. Another one for next time.