The Assembly Rooms
Est. Prior to 1930
Bath BA1 2QH, United Kingdom
Up to 500 guests
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The Assembly Rooms is one of Bath's most prestigious venues, perfect for business events, weddings and parties.

Designed by John Wood the Younger in 1769 this fine set of public rooms was purpose built for a particular eighteenth century form of entertainment: the assembly.
The Lowdown
Type
Historic BuildingMuseum
Views
CityscapeStreet
Style
British
Classic
Elegant
Sophisticated
Traditional
Best type of Celebrations
Birthday Party
Charity Event
Corporate Event
Product Launch
Family Reunion
Holiday Party
Rehearsal Dinner / Welcome Reception
Reunion
Social Event
Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Reception
Anniversary
Engagement Party

Venue Setting

The Assembly Rooms is one of Bath's most prestigious venues, perfect for business events, weddings and parties.

Designed by John Wood the Younger in 1769 this fine set of public rooms was purpose built for a particular eighteenth century form of entertainment: the assembly. When they were completed in 1771, they were described as ' the most noble and elegant of any in the kingdom'.

Each of the four rooms, the Great Octagon, Tea Room, Ball Room, and Card Room, had a specific purpose, as their names suggest, but they could all adapt for other functions, as they still do today. Guests can move easily, behind closed doors, from room to room throughout the day and there is a small formal garden, well suited to drinks receptions. The world-renowned Fashion Museum located on the lower ground floor can also be hired for private events.

Capacity

Seated
500
Buffet
450
Standing
500
Fees
(Prices listed here are estimates only & are subject to change)
Price range

Does this include catering fees?

No

Estimated price per head

from $81 to $113

Additional charges

Catering subject to VAT at 20%
Catering packages are based on a minimum of 40 people
For weddings, registrars fees are addition to the room hire fee
Decorations / flowers / additional equipment are available in addition to the venue hire fee

Insurance

Additional Insurance Is Required To Host An Event At This Venue

Connect
Request a Venue Tour
Call: 01225 477786
Event Logistics and Amenities
(Essential event logistics and amenities to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for you gathering)
Celebrations hosted here since
Prior to 1930
Curfew
1 AM
Venue spaces
Indoor Venue Space Only
Catering
Client Must Use The Catering Provided By The Venue
Alcohol
Corkage/Bottle Fee – You Can Bring Your Own Alcohol For A Fee
Music
Indoors Only
Smoking
Non-smoking Venue
Handicap Accessible
Yes
Amenities
  • A/V Equipment
  • Street Parking
  • Wifi
  • Dining Chairs
  • Dining Tables
  • Onsite Restrooms
Venue Features
The scene:

The Ball Room
Bath's biggest Georgian room, perfect for the larger wedding, party or business event.

The Ball Room is the largest eighteenth century room in Bath and has often been described as the finest in the country. High columns, intricate plasterwork and five original Whitefriars crystal chandeliers make this a spectacular space. The high ceiling was designed with ventilation in mind; on crowded ball nights up to 1,200 guests would use the room for dancing.

The room is now suited to larger events such as weddings, awards dinners, conferences and exhibitions.

The Tea Room
Wonderfully light and well-proportioned, this graceful room features original fireplaces, a double columned balcony and three stunning Whitefriars crystal chandeliers. In the eighteenth century the Tea Room was used for concerts and refreshments and the price of interval tea was included in the cost of a ball ticket. The elegant simplicity of the room ensures that it is one of our most popular venues, making it a particularly memorable setting for weddings, parties and dinners.

The Great Octagon
Octagonal in shape and housing four original marble fireplaces and eighteenth century portraits, this room began life as a card room where parties gathered at tables to play whist and other games of chance. At the centre of this sunny yellow room is a particularly spectacular Whitefriars crystal chandelier, the largest in the building. Today the room is most frequently used for drinks receptions and ceremonies or for conference exhibitors, registration and refreshments.

The Fashion Museum
One of the world's great museum collections of historic and fashionable dress, this is an inspiring venue for a drinks reception.

Designated as a collection of outstanding national significance, the Fashion Museum was recently listed by CNN as one of the world's Top 10 fashion museums. Only available for private hire when the museum is closed, this is a charming choice for a drinks reception for up to 100 guests from 6.30 pm in the evening, allowing visitors to reflect on bygone eras in fascinating surroundings.

Design:
Designed by John Wood the Younger in 1769 for entertainment, tea drinking and dancing, the Assembly Rooms were at the heart of fashionable Georgian society. When completed in 1771, they were described as ‘the most noble and elegant of any in the kingdom’. Guests would gather in the rooms in the evening for balls, concerts and other social functions, or simply to play cards and socialise.

Scenes such as this feature in the novels of Jane Austen, who lived in Bath with her parents and sister from 1801 to 1805. Her two novels set in Bath, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both mention the Assembly Rooms, which she called the “Upper Rooms”. Charles Dickens visited Bath on several occasions. He gave public readings in the Assembly Rooms and mentions them in the Pickwick Papers (published in 1837): “In the ball-room, the long card-room, the octagonal card-room, the staircases, and the passages, the hum of many voices, and the sound of many feet, were perfectly bewildering. Dresses rustled, feathers waved, lights shone, and jewels sparkled”.
Standout venue features:
The Assembly Rooms:
– is a Grade II listed Georgian event venue
– are adorned with Whitefriars crystal chandeliers, each valued at over £1 million
– offers a stunning backdrop to any event
– offers a range of experiences from smaller parties to grand gala dinners
– are part of the World Heritage city of Bath 'Experience’
Celebration Locations
This section outlines the various spaces available within the venue for different types of events.
The Ball Room
The Ball Room is the largest eighteenth century room in Bath and has often been described as the finest in the country. High columns, intricate plasterwork and five original Whitefriars crystal chandeliers make this a spectacular space. The high ceiling was designed with ventilation in mind; on crowded ball nights up to 1,200 guests would use the room for dancing. The room is now ideally suited to larger events such as awards dinners, conferences and exhibitions
View: Georgian grandeur
Max capacity: 500
Price range: 2750
The Tea Rooms
Wonderfully light and well proportioned, this graceful room features three stunning Whitefriars crystal chandeliers, a double columned balcony and original fireplaces. In the eighteenth century the Tea Room was used for concerts and refreshments; the price of interval tea was included in the cost of a ball ticket. The elegant simplicity of the room ensures that it is one of our most popular venues, making a particularly memorable setting for parties and dinners.
View: Three stunning Whitefriars crystal chandeliers, a double columned balcony and original fireplaces.
Max capacity: 250
Price range: 2700
The Fashion Museum
The Assembly Rooms also houses the Fashion Museum and its world class collection of contemporary and historical dress. It has recently been voted by CNN as one of the top ten fashion museums in the world. Only available for private hire when the museum is closed, this is a charming choice for a drinks reception in the evening.
View: Historic and contemporary fashion
Price range: 425

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The Assembly Rooms
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