Bath Preservation Trust
Encyclopedia
The Bath Preservation Trust is an independent charity based in Bath, Somerset
, England
which exists to safeguard the historic character of the city of Bath, the only complete city in the UK that (along with its environs) is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
, and to champion its sustainable future. The Trust is funded entirely by public membership, donations and sponsorship. It also owns or runs four independent museums in Bath: Number One Royal Crescent
; the Building of Bath Collection; Beckford's Tower
and the Herschel Museum of Astronomy.
In addition to its campaigning and educational roles the Trust comments on planning applications and provides limited financial assistance towards the repair or reinstatement of architectural features (railings, window glazing bars, urns, vases, gateposts etc.) that may be missing from listed buildings in Bath.
Bath. As a result of this victory the status of the Trust was considerably enhanced and it was able to propose its own agenda for preserving the city. This included restoring The Prior Park
Palladian Bridge and the Lansdowne Greville Monument
. Following damage to buildings in the city during the Baedeker raids on 25 and 26 April 1942 of World War II
, the Trust worked with the War Damage Commission to assist people to restore their buildings. A further campaign against the "Sack Of Bath" in 1967–1968 reduced the replacement of heritage buildings with modern structures.
Since its first successful campaign, the Trust is now an independent registered charity
and continues to campaign to save listed buildings (of which Bath has some six and a half thousand) and ensure a sustainable future for Bath in the context of its status as a World Heritage Site. The Trust now has some thirteen hundred members and a number of corporate sponsors. Its Patron is HRH Prince Charles
.
's cottages in Widcombe which once housed the artisans who built some of the great Georgian architectural set pieces, and the historically significant Beckford's Tower, now owned by the Bath Preservation Trust and run as a museum. A significant part of the Trust’s work is reviewing and responding to all planning and listed building consent applications submitted to Bath and North East Somerset
Council. It also owns and runs four independent museums; Number One Royal Crescent, the Building of Bath Museum, Beckford's Tower and the Herschel Museum of Astronomy.
, which was built by John D Wood
. Number One stands as the cornerstone of this, one of the most significant urban architectural achievements of the 18th century, and represents the highest point of Palladian architecture
in Bath. Much of the house has been furnished to represent life in one of the great houses of 18th century Bath. The Trust's offices are on the upper two floors.
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
which exists to safeguard the historic character of the city of Bath, the only complete city in the UK that (along with its environs) is a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
, and to champion its sustainable future. The Trust is funded entirely by public membership, donations and sponsorship. It also owns or runs four independent museums in Bath: Number One Royal Crescent
Royal Crescent
The Royal Crescent is a residential road of 30 houses laid out in a crescent in the city of Bath, England. Designed by the architect John Wood the Younger and built between 1767 and 1774, it is among the greatest examples of Georgian architecture to be found in the United Kingdom and is a grade I...
; the Building of Bath Collection; Beckford's Tower
Beckford's Tower
Beckford's Tower, originally known as Lansdown Tower, is an architectural folly built in neo-classical style on Lansdown Hill, just outside Bath, Somerset, England....
and the Herschel Museum of Astronomy.
In addition to its campaigning and educational roles the Trust comments on planning applications and provides limited financial assistance towards the repair or reinstatement of architectural features (railings, window glazing bars, urns, vases, gateposts etc.) that may be missing from listed buildings in Bath.
History
The Trust was founded in 1934 as a small pressure group with the specific aim of fundraising to buy properties in preparation to resist the Bath Bill, which was drafted in order to drive a new east to west road through the centre of GeorgianGeorgian era
The Georgian era is a period of British history which takes its name from, and is normally defined as spanning the reigns of, the first four Hanoverian kings of Great Britain : George I, George II, George III and George IV...
Bath. As a result of this victory the status of the Trust was considerably enhanced and it was able to propose its own agenda for preserving the city. This included restoring The Prior Park
Prior Park
Prior Park is a Palladian house, designed by John Wood, the Elder in the 1730s and 1740s for Ralph Allen, on a hill overlooking Bath, Somerset, England. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building....
Palladian Bridge and the Lansdowne Greville Monument
Sir Bevil Grenville's Monument
Sir Bevil Grenville's Monument is a monument erected on Lansdowne Hill, Bath, England, to commemorate the heroism of Sir Bevil Grenville and his Cornish pikemen at the Battle of Lansdowne, 1643...
. Following damage to buildings in the city during the Baedeker raids on 25 and 26 April 1942 of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Trust worked with the War Damage Commission to assist people to restore their buildings. A further campaign against the "Sack Of Bath" in 1967–1968 reduced the replacement of heritage buildings with modern structures.
Since its first successful campaign, the Trust is now an independent registered charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
and continues to campaign to save listed buildings (of which Bath has some six and a half thousand) and ensure a sustainable future for Bath in the context of its status as a World Heritage Site. The Trust now has some thirteen hundred members and a number of corporate sponsors. Its Patron is HRH Prince Charles
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
.
Work
The Trust contributes financially to remedial works that enhance the city’s Georgian character. It has rescued properties as diverse as Ralph AllenRalph Allen
Ralph Allen was an entrepreneur and philanthropist, and was notable for his reforms to the British postal system. He was baptised at St Columb Major, Cornwall on 24 July 1693. As a teenager he worked at the Post Office. He moved in 1710 to Bath, where he became a post office clerk, and at the age...
's cottages in Widcombe which once housed the artisans who built some of the great Georgian architectural set pieces, and the historically significant Beckford's Tower, now owned by the Bath Preservation Trust and run as a museum. A significant part of the Trust’s work is reviewing and responding to all planning and listed building consent applications submitted to Bath and North East Somerset
Bath and North East Somerset
Bath and North East Somerset is a unitary authority that was created on 1 April 1996 following the abolition of the County of Avon. It is part of the Ceremonial county of Somerset...
Council. It also owns and runs four independent museums; Number One Royal Crescent, the Building of Bath Museum, Beckford's Tower and the Herschel Museum of Astronomy.
Trust headquarters
The Trust's headquarters are at Number One Royal CrescentRoyal Crescent
The Royal Crescent is a residential road of 30 houses laid out in a crescent in the city of Bath, England. Designed by the architect John Wood the Younger and built between 1767 and 1774, it is among the greatest examples of Georgian architecture to be found in the United Kingdom and is a grade I...
, which was built by John D Wood
John Wood, the Younger
John Wood, the Younger was an English architect, working principally in the city of Bath, Somerset. He began his work as an assistant for his father, the architect John Wood, the Elder...
. Number One stands as the cornerstone of this, one of the most significant urban architectural achievements of the 18th century, and represents the highest point of Palladian architecture
Palladian architecture
Palladian architecture is a European style of architecture derived from the designs of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio . The term "Palladian" normally refers to buildings in a style inspired by Palladio's own work; that which is recognised as Palladian architecture today is an evolution of...
in Bath. Much of the house has been furnished to represent life in one of the great houses of 18th century Bath. The Trust's offices are on the upper two floors.