The Circus (Bath)
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The Circus is a famous Georgian feature in the city of Bath, begun in 1754 and completed in 1768. The name comes from the Latin word 'circus', which means a ring, oval or circle.
Designed by the architect John Wood the Elder, the Circus was part of his grand vision to recreate a classical Roman-style architectural landscape for the city. Other projects included the Forum, but the Circus is undoubtedly the most successful. It was a startling novel scheme in its day, which inspired later circus developments in London and elsewhere.
Divided into three segments of equal length, the Circus is a circular space surrounded by large townhouses. The central area was originally paved except for a large reservoir in the centre, which supplied water to the houses. The reservoir was covered over by 1772. In 1800 the Circus residents enclosed the central part of the open space as a garden. Now it is grassed over and home to a group of venerable plane trees.
Source: Jean Manco, The Hub of the Circus: A history of the streetscape of the Circus, Bath (Bath and North East somerset Council 2004).
External links
Bath Past: The Circus (http://www.building-history.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Bath/Georgian/Circus.htm) An article by Jean Manco.