The Duke of York Suite is named after Frederick Augustus, the exuberant second son of George III, who rented No. 16 Royal Crescent for the princely sum of £5000 in 1797. He indulged in all the other pleasures for which Bath became legendary before becoming the Commander-in-Chief of the Army who was immortalised in the children’s nursery rhyme “The Grand old Duke of York.’
As befits such a larger than life character his suite boasts a magnificent stucco ceiling, certainly one of the finest to survive from this era. It is divided into geometric compartments which are decorated with a profusion of exotic birds, scrolling foliage, interlaced ribbons, acanthus leaves, trophies and musical instruments. Tall windows provide panoramic views over the crescent’s lawns and parklands. The portraits flanking the bed are by William Hoare, one of Georgian Bath’s most celebrated painters.