During the eighteenth century the city of Bath experienced a period of
dramatic expansion, when an extensive range of elegant uniform streets,
landscaped spaces, tall stone-built Georgian houses, and public
buildings made their appearance. There was no master plan for the
development of Bath. The city just expanded piecemeal with various
developers taking advantage of the city's growing popularity as a spa
and resort. Nevertheless, such was the extent and success of these
developments that today Bath ranks as a masterpiece of urban creative
design, both at national and international level. Georgian Bath offers
an overview of the development of the Georgian city, its beginnings, its
emergence, the eighteenth-century social conditions in the city that
underpinned its success, and the significance of its architectural
legacy. In addition, the individuals who were responsible for the
creation of Georgian Bath are introduced, together with an outline of
the economic and stylistic forces that drove and inspired them. The book
is supported by photographs, illustrations and maps. In addition, three
suggested walking tours are offered.