Royal Victoria Park is to host a day of free events and activities on Sunday 21st April as the Council, in partnership with Bath Preservation Trust, celebrates 26 years of Bath’s 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, from 11am to 3pm.
Experience 18th Century re-enactments with Pulteney’s 13th Regiment of Foot and explore their camp (11am-3pm). There will be military demonstrations at 12 noon and 2pm. The small regimental camp will be full of examples of camp-life such as changing the guard and kit inspections.
The Mayor’s Honorary Guides will be leading guided circular walks every hour at 11.50am, 12.50pm, 1.50pm and 2.50pm around the architecture of Bath’s ‘upper town’. The tours will start from Pulteney’s 13th Regiment of Foot encampment by the Royal Crescent. Both the Georgian events and the guided walks are free to all.
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is delighted to join Bath Preservation Trust in welcoming everyone to Royal Victoria Park for this family-friendly event on Sunday 21 April. In previous years we have showcased Roman culture, but this year spears and swords are replaced by musket and shot as Georgian soldiers march in.
“World Heritage status is a tremendous accolade for Bath. It means we are recognised as being amongst the most significant cultural sites in the world, and one of the only entire cities to be designated a World Heritage Site. World Heritage Day is all about encouraging people to enjoy finding out more about the legacy of this very special place and the responsibility we share in ensuring that future generations can appreciate it too.”
The Bath City Jubilee Waits will entertain visitors with lively English music around the main site and in the bandstand (11am-1pm). The group re-establishes the tradition of playing music on civic occasions which existed in Bath for much of the 18th Century.
People can take part in a day of elegant entertainment on the lawn outside No.1 Royal Crescent and enjoy a conversation about Bath’s social whirl with Lady Catherine and her butler (11am-3pm). Children can try on 18th Century style costumes and learn how to dance a minuet. They can also play traditional Georgian games and design and colour an outfit for a ball.
Sunday 21 April is the last chance to see the free special exhibition ‘Revisiting 18th Century Fashion’ at No 1a Royal Crescent (10.30am-5pm). Take this chance to visit the display by fashion designers showing contemporary outfits reflecting 18th Century style.
The restored Circus Georgian Garden – the first of its kind in Britain – is open from 11am-3pm for visitors to investigate objects from the 18th Century.
For more information on the World Heritage Day events visit: www.bathnes.gov.uk/heritageevents.
