Introduction
Nos. 19 and 20, Lansdown Crescent are the two houses at the western end of this Georgian crescent.
Scattered remnants of Beckford's estate remain today in the mile and a half stretch from Lansdown Crescent to Beckford's Tower on the summit of Lansdown Hill. Beckford's area of pasture and arable between the site of the kitchen garden and Lansdown Wood is now occupied by private housing and Kingswood School (built in 1855).
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Access contact details
Some parts of the estate, such as the Tower, are now open to the public.
More information can be found on the Bath Preservation Trust website.
Other Websites
- History
18th - 19th Century
William Beckford was an eccentric 18th century merchant, and the author of ‘Vathek'. He inherited great wealth and derived a substantial income from sugar plantations in Jamaica. In 1796 he started to build his Gothic extravaganza Fonthill Abbey in Wiltshire. He moved to Bath in 1822 when his business fortunes declined and he was no longer able to maintain Fonthill. He lived in Bath until his death in 1844.
He initially bought No. 20 Lansdown Crescent and No. 1 Lansdown Place West. These were separated by the lane leading to Upper Lansdown Mews. Beckford joined the two properties with a bridge which he used to house part of his library. About 10 years later he sold the Lansdown Place West house and in 1836 he bought nos. 18 and 19 in the Crescent.
Beckford brought with him from Fonthill his head gardener, Vincent. The two of them set about Beckford's extensive scheme of landscaping Lansdown Hill, which stretched up behind the Crescent. When Beckford moved to the Crescent the hillside consisted of rough pasture, arable land and quarries. Beckford and Vincent transformed it into gardens, orchards, plantations, copses and fields. Running through it was a private walk from the house to the tower which Beckford built at the top.
On his death the estate was divided up and sold. The gardens became pleasure grounds for the residents of Lansdown.
Period
- 18th Century (1701 to 1800)
- Late 18th Century (1767 to 1800)
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Designations
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Grade: I
Features
- Arch
- Description: This feature is the archway at Lansdown Crescent. It was built by Beckford to bridge the gap between No. 20 Lansdown Crescent and No. 1 Lansdown Place West. These were the houses he originally bought when he moved to Bath. The archway housed part of his library.
- Summerhouse
- Description: This is a miniature Moslem summerhouse built by Beckford in the grounds of No. 20 Lansdown Crescent.
- Garden Wall
- Description: This feature is the walls around the site of the old kitchen garden. By means of terraces and vast retaining walls Beckford levelled an area of some four acres immediately behind Lansdown Crescent. Many varieties of fruit trees were grown. Today most of the area has been built on, but some of the terraces and walls are still visible.
- Town House (featured building)
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Key Information
Type
Designed Urban Space
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Period
18th Century (1701 to 1800)
Survival
Part: standing remains
Open to the public
Yes
Electoral Ward
Lansdown