Archaeological investigations beneath Bath Assembly Rooms have recovered a collection of objects linked to the building’s fashionable Georgian and later visitors, including beauty products, wig curlers, wine bottles and tobacco pipes.
The work was carried out during restoration of the National Trust property and overseen by Wessex Archaeology. Bath Assembly Rooms first opened in 1771 and became one of the city’s celebrated social venues. The discoveries provide glimpses of activities surrounding visits to the ballroom, from preparing hair and appearance to dining, drinking and smoking.
Among the finds are hair curlers that may have helped visitors style their wigs before attending social events. The excavation team also found numerous tobacco pipes bearing makers’ marks. Marek Lewcun of Wessex Archaeology said smoking and snuff-taking were popular in 18th-century Bath, and suggested that areas such as the Coffee House and courtyard may have provided places for smokers away from the main building.
The objects also point to the less formal traces left by visitors. Wine bottles and other discarded items reflect the food, drink and entertainment associated with the Assembly Rooms, while the personal nature of the beauty-related finds connects the archaeological evidence with the preparation required for a fashionable evening.
Tatjana LeBoff, the National Trust’s project curator for Bath Assembly Rooms, said the discoveries show that the building was not simply an architectural setting but a place used by generations of people. She described the objects as material reminders of individuals who prepared for events, shared meals and drinks, or may have accidentally left possessions behind.
The finds are now being transferred to the National Trust for possible use in displays, events and community activities. They will contribute to the interpretation of the restored Assembly Rooms and a planned new Georgian ball experience. The building is scheduled to reopen to the public in 2027.
