attraction. 62 These experiences encourage longer stays in the city, therefore benefiting the tourism network Bath sustains itself on. 63 In this sense, the
association has arguably been worth it for the sake of the local economy.
One development of the Bridgerton branding is the variety of walking tours
independent companies have established. Some focus on the show or other productions to reveal ‘behind the scenes’ gossip. 64 Yet one goes as far as to use the
scandalous themes of the show to draw out genuine historical intrigue from the
actual locations. This capitalises on the visitors’ connection with the show but provides an authentic historically educational experience. 65 An important element of the tours is that they remain up to date. Through coverage of all three series, tours can cater to current interests and keep up with the market. 66 In spite of this, a key issue with the association is the concern with whether the integrity of a serious heritage city is being presented to visitors. 67 When questioned on the matter, Bath
Walking Tours revealed how their ‘Bridgerton’ walks are only undertaken by guides
with the knowledge for a ‘quality delivery’, which relates the show to genuine aspects of Bath’s ‘outstanding universal value’ as a preserved Georgian city. 68 The content
must cater to general historical intrigue and not allow the fictional show to overwhelm
the authenticity of locations. The attention paid to the historical integrity of Bath in
these tours is a reminder of the power screen content has over peo ple’s perceptions of the past. 69
Nonetheless, it is what people perceive as significant that dictates the value in heritage. 70 Since remaining in use and valuable is essential for a heritage sites’
62 Rowlette, The Bridgerton effect and how it's saving Bath's tourism industry . See also VisitBath, Bridgerton in Bath . 63 Bath & North East Somerset Council, The City of Bath World Heritage Site Management Plan: 2010-2016 , p. 31. See also BBC, Bridgerton: Bath and Somerset's 'opportunity' after Netflix hit . 64 VisitBath, Seen on Screen: Filming Locations in Bath (2023) <https://visitbath.co.uk/blog/read/2023/05/seen-on-screen-filming-locations-in-bath-b82> [accessed 12 July 2023]. See also VisitBath, Bridgerton in Bath. 65 For Bath Insider Tours ‘unique’ take on the walking tour, see VisitBath, Bridgerton in Bath . 66 VisitBath, Bridgerton and More: Bath Walking Tour With Fred Mawer Tours (2023) <https://visitbath.co.uk/things-to-do/bridgerton-and-more-bath-walking-tour-with-fred-mawer-tours- p3065613> [accessed 13 July 2023]. See also Boyd, pp. 55-67 (p. 58-9). 67 Baker pp. 1-21 (p. 11). 68 Pers. Comm. James Mcphee, Bath Walking Tours , 8 th July 2023. See also UNESCO, City of Bath (2023), <https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/428/> [accessed 16 July 2023]. 69 De Groot, p. 187. See also Reynolds, p. 52. 70 Baker pp. 1-21 (p. 6).
62
Made with FlippingBook HTML5