El Circo, Bath, Somerset

A magnificent Grade I listed townhouse in this world famous address. The property is a rare example of a complete house and offers a wealth of period charm and character with truly exceptional proportions and features such as sash windows and extravagant cornicing.

The property is over 6,100 sq ft and has versatile accommodation over five floors. Within the grand entrance hall is a very attractive stone staircase leading to the upper and lower floors. The ground floor showcases incredible proportions, with kitchen/breakfast room situated to the rear and a large reception/family room to the front through impressive double doors. A wonderful bay window, which is mirrored on four floors of the house, provides views of that garden and a doorway leads across a glass walkway to the outside space. To the front is the formal dining room. This floor also provides a cloakroom.

On the first floor is a magnificent drawing and withdrawing room. The drawing room features three large sash windows providing a wonderful view of the famous central trees of The Circus. The rear views are very special indeed and extend south west across Victoria Park. This floor offers tremendous proportions and is a prime example of Georgian architecture at its best.

The second floor is occupied by the principal bedroom, which is a particularly spoiling suite with a spacious shower room and a dressing room. Also on this floor is a further large bedroom overlooking the front of the property with a stylish en suite bathroom.

The top floor is perfect for family accommodation, with three impressive bedrooms serviced by two bath/shower rooms (one en suite).

The lower ground floor is a versatile space, currently providing a sixth bedroom with a large bathroom adjacent. To the front is a superb family/living room, with barrel ceiling and its own entrance accessed from the street. This floor also contains the utility room and access to two vaults.

Outside

The garden of 8 The Circus is incredibly spacious due to the property sitting in the middle of the crescent. This section of The Circus is so favoured because of its south-westerly aspect and its views over Victoria Park. Access to the garden is from the kitchen on the ground floor via a glazed walkway, which leads to a patio, perfect for al fresco dining. The garden is laid to lawn with mature trees providing privacy and shade. At the rear of the garden is a pedestrian gate out on to the Gravel Walk.

The Circus, originally called King’s Circus, was designed by John Wood the Elder in the 1750’s. The vision was to recreate a classical Palladian architectural landscape for Bath, inspired by the Roman Coliseum but whereas The Coliseum was designed to be seen from the outside, The Circus faces inwards. The Circus is only a few minutes’ walk from Bath’s shops, restaurants and cultural attractions, most notably the Theatre Royal and annual events arranged by The Bath’s Festivals Trust.

Bath is a World Heritage Site famed for its Roman heritage and Georgian architecture that offers a wide variety of cultural, leisure, sports and shopping facilities along with a mainline rail link to London Paddington (journey time approx 90 mins) and Bristol Temple Meads (journey time approx 15 mins). Junction 18 of the M4 is approximately 11 miles north.

History

The Circus, originally called King’s Circus, was designed by John Wood the Elder in the 1750’s. The vision was to recreate a classical Palladian architectural landscape for Bath, inspired by the Roman Coliseum but whereas The Coliseum was designed to be seen from the outside, The Circus faces inwards. Originally the central area was paved covering a reservoir serving all the houses, which was later turned into the enclosed garden you will find today. There have been numerous historical figures in residence at The Circus including William Pitt the elder, Thomas Gainsborough and the novelist William Makepeace-Thackeray.

8 The Circus is situated on the favoured south-western side and is one of the finest examples of Bath’s Georgian architecture. The property is constructed of classic Bath stone elevations under a slate tiled roof. Three classical orders (Greek, Roman and Corinthian) are used, one above the other in the elegant arched facades. The frieze of the Doric entablature is decorated with alternating triglyphs and pictorial emblems including serpents, nautical symbols, devices representing the arts and sciences, and Masonic emblems. The parapet is adorned with stone acorn finials.

The property enjoys a pleasant outlook to the front over the central circular green where there is a group of mature plane trees. To the rear, the property enjoys a stunning south westerly view towards Victoria Park with a pedestrian gate on to the world famous Gravel Walk, made famous by Jane Austen.