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Fountain Handprints in Bath, England

22 min readAtlas Obscura
Bath, England, United Kingdom
Fountain Handprints in Bath, England
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Why it matters: this public display of handprints celebrates the rich theatrical heritage of bath and inspires visitors to appreciate the enduring impact of british actors on stage and screen.

About When one thinks of the town of Bath, in the west of England, they may immediately have visions of Jane Austen (1775 -1817) and the Regency period (1811 - 1820). What they may not associate with this quaint municipality is that it is home to one of the country's longest established playhouses, the Theatre Royal.

Opened in 1805, for over two centuries the Theatre Royal has staged numerous productions and showcased the talents of countless performers. It has survived fires, wars, and economic downturns. The latter would see the great British actor Peter Ustinov (1921 -2004) lending a hand in raising monies to keep the lights on. In the late 1990s a studio was dedicated in his honor.

Perhaps a part of his fund raising scheme was a fountain located nearby, in the Seven Dials Courtyard, with a collection of sixteen handprints and signatures fabricated in brass. Much in the vain of the prints found at Grauman's Chinese Theatre,  Los Angeles, these denote famous British actors of both stage and screen. These include the names of such stars as Joan Collins, Derek Jacobi, and Haley Mills. Related Tags Theaters Celebrity Hands Know Before You Go Free and accessible at all times, the courtyard is open 24 hours.

The courtyard is a few yards from the Peter Ustinov Studio on Monmouth Street. Community Contributors Added By SEANETTA Published December 13, 2025 Edit this listing Make an Edit Add Photos The oldest continuously-running professional dinner theater in the United States.

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Brightcast Impact Score (BIS)

70/100Hopeful

This article about the handprints of famous British actors in a courtyard fountain in Bath, England is a positive story that aligns with Brightcast's mission. It highlights the history and longevity of the local Theatre Royal, as well as the efforts of actor Peter Ustinov to help keep the theater running during difficult times. The handprints serve as a tribute to the talents of these performers, providing an accessible public display for the community to enjoy. Overall, the story conveys a sense of hope, community, and cultural preservation.

Hope Impact25/33

Emotional uplift and inspirational potential

Reach Scale20/33

Potential audience impact and shareability

Verification25/33

Source credibility and content accuracy

Encouraging positive news

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