The Ballrooms

The National Trust cares for many iconic ballrooms across the nations. We've featured these three because they are home to authentic queer stories that have shaped the history of that space.

Kingston Lacy

Kingston Lacy was home to William John Bankes until 1841 when he was forced to flee England to avoid prosecution for his homosexuality. He lived the rest of his life exiled in Venice, but remained devoted to curating his beloved Kingston Lacy and its collections from afar. Bankes’ friend Lord Byron called him ‘father of all mischief’.

For the Space to have a ball experience, Diva performs at Kingston Lacy.

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Osterley Park and House

Known as ‘the palace of palaces’, Osterley was built to impress. It’s been the venue for many glamorous events over the years, including the Jersey Ball in 1939, which was masterminded by Oliver Messel. Messel and his partner, Vagn Riis-Hansen, were together for twenty-four years. Last year, their wishes were honoured as their names were carved together on a memorial at Oliver's family home at Nyman's. Its park now welcomes hundreds of thousands each year and will be the venue for Middlesex Pride 2023.

For the Space to have a ball experience, Taboo performs at Osterley House.

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Bath Assembly Rooms

After their elaborate opening ball in 1771, the Bath Assembly Rooms quickly became established at the heart of fashionable Georgian society. Relationships were formed and nurtured there, topics debated in assemblies, spaces for all voices to be heard over the years. Bath offered access to ballrooms for creative expression - people to dance, play, enjoyed music and perform. It was ‘a place for seeing others and being seen.

For the Space to have a ball experience, Nikki performs at Bath Assembly Rooms.

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