Walking Words: Clifton Library to the Observatory via Royal York Crescent

Poet: Tim Burroughs- Clifton past and present

Royal York Crescent

The construction started in 1791 but was not completed until 1820. The raised pavement built over vaulted cellars in front of the entire terrace, which is c. 390 metres (1,280 ft) long, Royal York Crescent is reputed to be the longest crescent in Europe.

Nos. 1–3 were used until 1855 as a boarding school for girls, run by Mrs Rogers and her four daughters. In 1837 the school was attended by Eugénie de Montijo, the future Empress of the French, and her sister Paca, the future Duchess of Alba.